Abstract
Bezoars represent the fifth most frequent cause of acute small bowel obstruction. Phytobezoar is the most common type of bezoar. It is a concretion of undigestible fibers derived from ingested vegetables and fruits. We report a case of a woman with a 1-year history of recurrent epigastric and periumbilical abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting caused by phytobezoar of the terminal ileum. After careful investigation of the case and review of literature, we identified the factor involved in bezoar formation as radiation-induced ileal stenosis due to previous treatment for a pelvic tumour. This report provides evidence to consider phytobezoar as a possible cause of small bowel obstruction in patients previously treated with abdominal radiotherapy.
Highlights
Bezoars are composed by ingested foreign materials that accumulate within the gastrointestinal tract [1]
A phytobezoar is a particular kind of bezoar composed of indigestible cellulose, tannin, and lignin derived from ingested vegetables and fruits [2]
Bezoars are composed by ingested foreign materials that accumulate within the gastrointestinal tract [4]
Summary
Bezoars are composed by ingested foreign materials that accumulate within the gastrointestinal tract [1]. A phytobezoar is a particular kind of bezoar composed of indigestible cellulose, tannin, and lignin derived from ingested vegetables and fruits (especially persimmons) [2]. Phytobezoar represents a rare cause of intestinal obstruction that must be considered in the diagnostic workup and treated appropriately. To our knowledge, this is a rare case report of small bowel obstruction due to a phytobezoar of the ileum, secondary to radiation-induced terminal ileal stricture
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