A Case of Rapunzel Syndrome.
10.5223/pghn.2013.16.2.127
- Author:
Joon Sung KIM
1
;
Chang Woo NAM
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea. drkimjs@daum.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Rapunzel syndrome;
Bezoars;
Trichotillomania;
Trichophagia;
Abdominal pain
- MeSH:
Abdominal Pain;
Bezoars;
Child;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal;
Follow-Up Studies;
Hair;
Humans;
Jejunum;
Laparotomy;
Parents;
Pylorus;
Stomach;
Trichotillomania;
Vomiting
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2013;16(2):127-130
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Rapunzel syndrome refers to a very rare condition in which swallowed hair forms a gastric trichobezoar that has a long tail extending into the small bowel. We describe a case of Rapunzel syndrome in an 8-year-old girl who presented with abdominal mass, epigastric pain and vomiting. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a markedly dilated stomach filled with coarse heterogeneous materials. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a huge hairy ball with a tail extending through the pylorus. We performed a surgical laparotomy and successfully removed a huge trichobezoar with a long tail extending into the middle portion of jejunum. Psychiatric consultation with review showed her past history of trichotillomania and trichophagia 4 years ago. But her parents denied further psychiatric therapy and she was lost to the follow-up. Rapunzel syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis in children with chronic abdominal pain and trichophagia.
