• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-130
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• 2013

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.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.43-46
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• 2004

Two cases of trichobezoar with unusual presentation in female children are described. The first case is a 7-year-old female with a 3-day history of abdominal pain, obstipation, and emesis. She developed intestinal obstruction and showed double bezoars in the stomach and intestine respectively. She had been in a habit of biting or sucking hairs before sleeping from infancy until 5 years of age. The other patient is a 6-year-old girl referred for an epigastric mass, emotional disturbance and trichotillomania. In spite of the psychological treatment, 4 laparotomies were necessary due to repeated recurrences.