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http://dx.doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2013.16.2.127

A Case of Rapunzel Syndrome  

Kim, Joon Sung (Department of Pediatrics, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
Nam, Chang Woo (Department of Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
Publication Information
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition / v.16, no.2, 2013 , pp. 127-130 More about this Journal
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Rapunzel syndrome; Bezoars; Trichotillomania; Trichophagia; Abdominal pain;
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