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Trichobezoar
Medical Questions » Trichobezoar
| Name: Trichobezoar |
| Also known as: Bezoar; Hair Ball |
| A bezoar is a solid mass in the stomach formed from swallowed foreign bodies. A trichobezoar is the most common form and is composed of hair that may completely fill the stomach. |
Causes of Trichobezoar
May occur as a side effect of stomach surgery (eg. vagotomy, partial gastrectomy) if the emptying ability of the stomach is affected and fibrous vegetable matter accumulates, but more commonly occurs in psychiatric patients who eat inappropriate objects that can vary from asphalt and cloth to leaves and plastic bags. Women with very long hair who chew their hair as a habit, and psychiatric patients who pull out their hair and eat it, may form a trichobezoar. |
Symptoms of Trichobezoar
Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss. |
Tests for Trichobezoar
Diagnosed by a barium meal X-ray or gastroscopy. |
Treatment for Trichobezoar
Difficult. Removal through a gastroscope is usually attempted, but if it cannot be broken and allowed to pass on naturally, or withdrawn with or through the gastroscope, open surgery may be necessary.
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Complications of Trichobezoar of its treatment
Stomach ulcers or rarely bowel obstruction. |
Likely Outcome of Trichobezoar
Good results from treatment once diagnosed. |
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