Abstract
BackgroundRapunzel syndrome is a rare type of trichobezoar with an extension of the hair into the small bowel. Clinical presentation is deceptive and vague ranging from abdominal mass to gastrointestinal symptoms.Case presentationWe present a 7 years old girl with Rapunzel syndrome, where the trichobezoar was not suspected at all especially with negative history of trichophagia. In majority of the cases the diagnosis was made very late in the history of the disease, at a stage where surgery is the only cure for this syndrome.ConclusionIn the paediatric age group with a long history of gastrointestinal symptom, endoscopy is a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic modality and may reduce surgery in trichobezoars.
Highlights
Rapunzel syndrome is a rare type of trichobezoar with an extension of the hair into the small bowel
In very rare cases the Rapunzel Syndrome hair extends through the pylorus into the small bowel causing symptom and sign of partial or complete gastric outlet obstruction [1]
Upper Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a Trichobezoar occupying almost the whole gastric cavity, an attempt to remove it by foreign body forceps failed and the forceps was barley pulling few fibres of this huge ball of hair
Summary
Rapunzel syndrome is a rare type of trichobezoar with an extension of the hair into the small bowel. Conclusion: In the paediatric age group with a long history of gastrointestinal symptom, endoscopy is a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic modality and may reduce surgery in trichobezoars. Trichobezoars, commonly occur in patients with psychiatric disturbances who chew and swallow their own hair. In very rare cases the Rapunzel Syndrome hair extends through the pylorus into the small bowel causing symptom and sign of partial or complete gastric outlet obstruction [1].
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