Trichobezoar in a 13 year old Male: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Case report of a trichobezoar occuring in the stomach of a 13 year old boy known to suffer from trichotillomania. 90% of trichobezoars occur in adolescent females and the occurrence in males is rarely documented. The clinical presentation and complications of trichobezoars are discussed. Differential diagnosis of epigastric masses in children and the investigations utilised to diagnose these intragastric hairballs together with possible hypothses on their pathogenesis are discussed.