DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2020.v08i01.016

Pages: 52-53

Introduction: Trichobezoar is a Greek word trich, which means hair. Bezoars are collections of indigestible material that accumulate into the gastro-intestinal tract and are most often located in the stomach. Trichobezoars are often associated with psychiatric illness like trichotillomania and trichophagia usually occurs in young and adolescent females. In this case study, we showed the interest of imaging in the the diagnosis of this entity. Case presentation: A 38 years old woman, 5 days post-partum presented in the emergency department with complete occlusive syndrome evolving for 3 days. On examination patient look irritable, abdomen was tense and sensitive on palpation. Ultrasound shows collection of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. A complement by CT scan demonstrated a large gastric intraluminal heterogeneous mass that remined bezoars. On emergency, an exploratory laparotomy was performed and bulky gastric trichobezoar was removed. Conclusion: Gastric perforation is a rare complication of gastric trichobezoar formation. Without a history of trichotillomania or trichophagia, one would not readily include this entity on their differential diagnosis of an acute abdomen. Once diagnosed, often incidentally with the help of radiologic imaging.