Mechanical upper bowel obstruction caused by a large trichobezoar in a young woman: A very unusual case report

BACKGROUND Bezoars usually compile human fibers and debris.A special form of bezoar in case of psychologically altered individuals is the trichobezoar.It consists of voluntarily swallowed hair bulks and is normally removed via gastroscopy.Trichobezoars leading to ileus have rarely been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 24-year-old female patient presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain,nausea,and vomiting for 3 d.Her previous medical and psychiatric history was unremarkable.Laboratory analysis showed iron deficiency anemia,leukocytosis,and elevated liver enzymes.An abdominal CT scan revealed a dense structure in the patients’stomach which turned out to be a huge trichobezoar completely obstructing the pylorus.The trichobezoar had to be removed surgi-cally.During her postoperative course,a subcutaneous seroma formed.After a single puncture,the rest of the recovery process was unremarkable,and the patient recovered fully.CONCLUSION A mechanical bowel obstruction is a potentially life-threatening event for every patient.In our case a young female was suffering from severe symptoms of an obstruction which might have resulted in serious harm without successful surgical management.

Coca-Cola consumption vs fragmentation in the management of patients with phytobezoars:A prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Gastric phytobezoars(GPBs)are very common in northern China.Combined therapy involving carbonated beverage consumption and endoscopic lithotripsy has been shown to be effective and safe.Existing studies on this subject are often case reports highlighting the successful dissolution of phytobezoars through Coca-Cola consumption.Consequently,large-scale prospective investigations in this domain remain scarce.Therefore,we conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of Coca-Cola consumption on GPBs.AIM To evaluate the impact of Coca-Cola on GPBs,including the dissolution rate,medical expenses,ulcer rate,and operation time.METHODS A total of 160 consecutive patients diagnosed with GPBs were allocated into two groups(a control group and an intervention group)through computer-generated randomization.Patients in the intervention group received a Coca-Cola-based regimen(Coca-Cola 2000-4000 mL per day for 7 d),while those in the control group underwent emergency fragmentation.RESULTS Complete dissolution of GPBs was achieved in 100% of the patients in the intervention group.The disparity in expenses between the control group and intervention group(t=25.791,P=0.000)was statistically significant,and the difference in gastric ulcer occurrence between the control group and intervention group(χ^(2)=6.181,P=0.013)was also statistically significant.CONCLUSION Timely ingestion of Coca-Cola yields significant benefits,including a complete dissolution rate of 100%,a low incidence of gastric ulcers,no need for fragmentation and reduced expenses.

Synergistic effect of multiple predisposing risk factors on the development of bezoars

AIM： To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with gastric or intestinal bezoars recently treated in our hospital.

Review of the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal bezoars

The formation of a bezoar is a relatively infrequentdisorder that affects the gastrointestinal system.Bezoars are mainly classified into four types dependingon the material constituting the indigestible mass of thebezoar phytobezoars, trichobezoars, pharmacobezoars,and lactobezoars. Gastric bezoars often cause ulcerativelesions in the stomach and subsequent bleeding,whereas small intestinal bezoars present with smallbowel obstruction and ileus. A number of articles haveemphasized the usefulness of Coca-Cola？ administrationfor the dissolution of phytobezoars. However, persimmonphytobezoars may be resistant to such dissolutiontreatment because of their harder consistency comparedto other types of phytobezoars. Better understanding ofthe etiology and epidemiology of each type of bezoarwill facilitate prompt diagnosis and management.Here we provide an overview of the prevalence, classification,predisposing factors, and manifestations ofbezoars. Diagnosis and management strategies arealso discussed, reviewing mainly our own case series.Recent progress in basic research regarding persimmonphytobezoars is also briefly reviewed.

Gastrointestinal bezoars: A retrospective analysis of 34 cases

AIM: Bezoars (BZ) are the most common foreign bodies of gastrointestinal tract. Clinical manifestations vary depending on the location of BZ from no symptoms to acute abdominal syndrome. When located in small bowel, they frequently cause small bowel obstruction (SBO). We aimed to present our experience by reviewing literature.METHODS: Thirty-four patients with gastrointestinal BZ were presented. The data were collected from hospital records and analyzed retrospectively. Morbidity and mortality rates were statistically analyzed between the subgroups according to SBO and endoscopic or surgical treatment modalities.RESULTS: The 34 patients had phytobezoars (PBZ). Two patients with mental retardation and trichotillomania had trichobezoars (TBZ). More than half of them (55.88%) had previous gastric surgery. Also most of them had small bowel bezoars resulting in obstruction. Surgical and endoscopic morbidity rates were 32.14% and 14.28% respectively.The total morbidity rate of this study was 29.41%. Four patients in surgically treated group died. There was no death in endoscopically treated group. The total and surgical mortality rates were 11.76% and 14.28% respectively. The differences in morbidity and mortality rates between the subgroups were not statistically significant.CONCLUSION: BZ are commonly seen in stomach and small intestine. SBO is the most common complication.When uncomplicated, endoscopic or surgical removal can be applied easily.

Endoscopic retrieval of a gastric trichobezoar

A 9-year-old girl presented with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. Esophagogastroduodenal endoscopy (EGD) identifi ed a long and large gastric trichobezoar extending into the duodenum. We attempted endoscopic retrieval after informed consent was obtained from the patient's mother. Initially, a gasper with 5-prolongs, com monly used for retrieval of endoscopically excised poly ps, failed to remove the whole trichobezoar. When a net was used instead, it proved impossible to remove the trichobezoar completely. Therefore, we withdrew the scope from the mouth, leaving the net grasping the tri co bezoar firmly in the stomach. Subsequently, we were able to retrieve about 70% of the trichobezoar manually by grasping the snare part of the net directly. A second pass found no deep laceration or perforation endoscopically. The remaining trichobezoar was completely retrieved with the net. The procedure was completed within 15 min. The retrieved specimens were34 cm in length and 100 g in weight. The patient was discharged uneventfully 5 d thereafter. She was advised to visit a psychiatrist to avoid suffering from a relapse. Follow-up EGD showed no trichobezoar, and the patient' s frontal hair grew back.

Trichobezoar:A rare cause of bowel obstruction

A bezoar is an intraluminal mass formed by the accumulation of undigested material in the gastrointestinal tract. A trichobezoar is a bezoar made up of hair and is a rare cause of bowel obstruction of the proximal gastrointes-tinal tract. They are seen mostly in young women with trichotillomania and trichotillophagia and symptoms include epigastric pain, nausea, loss of appetite and bowel or gastric outlet obstruction. We herein describe a case of a trichobezoar that presented as a gastric outlet obstruction and was subsequently successfully removed via a laparotomy.

A CASE OF HUGE GASTRIC DISOPYROBEZOAR

PHYTOBEZOARS are common bezoars in gastrointestinal tract, commonly seen in stomach and small intestine, but huge disopyrobezoars arerarely seen in clinic. We aimed to report a case of huge disopyrobezoar （ 18 cm × 7.5 cm× 7 cm）, a kind of phytobezoar caused by persimmon, and to present our experience by reviewing literatures.

基于mtDNA 16S rRNA序列的脉红螺(Rapana venosa)与红螺(R.bezoar)的分类学研究

采用线粒体DNA16SrRNA基因序列测定方法,对中国沿海3目8科的14种腹足类的系统演化关系进行了比较分析。结果显示,共测定了102个个体,获得线粒体DNA16SrRNA基因片段507bp的同源碱基序列;用最大简约法检测到保守位点87个,可变位点409个,简约信息位点254个;计算了碱基替换/颠换率的距离(R)和基于碱基替换+颠换率的距离(D),红螺属内的脉红螺和红螺R值为0.9367,大于0.5,属于种间标志值;采用Kimura2-parametermodel构建了邻接法(NJ)、最小进化法(ME)和最大似然法(MP)等3种系统树,脉红螺和红螺各自均为单系群(支持率=92—100),同时表明它们在检测的14种腹足类中属于相当进化种类。分析结果从线粒体基因序列的层次支持脉红螺与红螺属于不同种类的现代分类方法。

Bezoar-induced small bowel obstruction: Clinical characteristics and diagnostic value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography

AIM: To determine the possible predisposing factors of bezoar-induced small bowel obstruction(b I-Sb O) and to discuss the diagnostic value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography,particularly contrast-enhanced scanning,in this condition.METHODS: A total of 35 b I-Sb O cases treated at our hospital from January 2007 to December 2013 were retrospectively analysed.Complete clinical and computed tomography(CT) data of the patients were available and confirmed by surgery.SbO was clinically diagnosed on the basis of clinical manifestations.Of the 35 patients,18 underwent abdominal and pelvic CT planar scanning with GE 64-slice spiral CT and 17 underwent abdominal and pelvic CT planar scanning with GE 64-slice spiral CT combined with contrastenhanced examination.Original images were processed using a GE ADW4.3 workstation to obtain MPR,CPR,MIP and CTA images.The images of all patients were evaluated by two abdominal imaging experts.The main analytical contents of planar scanning included intestinal bezoar conditions,changes in the intestinal wall and changes in peri-intestinal conditions.Vascular hyperaemia and arterial blood supply conditions at a specific obstruction site and the distal end of the obstruction site were evaluated through contrastenhanced examination.RESULTS: The proportion of males to females among the 35 cases was 1:1.69(13:22); median age was 63.3 years.The following cases were observed: 29(82.8%) cases occurred in autumn and winter and showed a history of consuming high amounts of persimmon and hawthorn; 19(54.3%) cases revealed a history of gastrointestinal surgery; 19 exhibited incomplete dentition,with missing partial or whole posterior teeth; 26 suffered from obstruction at the ileum.A total of 51 bezoars were found in these patients,of whom 16(45.7%) had multiple bezoars.CT planar scanning of bezoars showed lumps with mottled gas inside the intestinal cavity.Furthermore,9 cases of bezoars had envelopes and 11 cases were accompanied with thickening of the distal wall of the obstructed bowel.Scanning of 17 cases was enhanced; the results revealed that the mesenteric blood vessels at the obstruction site and the proximal site were dilated,and a total of 7 cases were accompanied with distal vascular dilation and intestinal wall thickening.CONCLUSION: b I-Sb O exhibits regional and seasonal characteristics.CT planar and contrast-enhanced scanning can be applied to diagnose and observe vascular conditions in obstructed zones.

Giant choledocholithiasis treated by mechanical lithotripsy using a gastric bezoar basket

Mechanical lithotripsy （ML） is usually considered as a standard treatment option for large bile duct stones. However, it is impossible to retrieve oversized stones because the conventional lithotripsy basket may not be able to grasp the stone. However, there is no es- tablished endoscopic extraction method for such gi- ant stone removal. We describe a case of successful extraction of a 4-cm large stone using a gastric bezoar basket. A 78-year-old woman had suffered from upper abdominal pain for 20 d. Contrast-enhanced computed tomogram revealed a 4-cm single stone in the distal common bile duct （CBD）. Endoscopic stone retraction was decided upon and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation was performed using a large balloon. An at- tempt to capture the stone using a standard lithotripsy basket failed due to the large stone size. Subsequently, we used a gastric bezoar basket to successfully capturethe stone. The stone was fragmented into small pieces and extracted. The stone was completely removed after two sessions of endoscopic retrograde cholangio- pancreatography; each of which took 30 rain. No com- plications occurred during or after the procedure. The patient was fully recovered and discharged on day 11 of hospitalization. ML using a gastric bezoar basket is a safe and effective retrieval method in select cases, and is considered as an alternative nonoperative option for the management of difficult CBD stones.

Esophageal obstruction due to enteral feed bezoar:A case report and literature review

This paper describes a rare complication of enteral feeding,esophageal obstruction due to feeding formula bezoar,and reviews the published cases. An attempt to re-insert the nasogastric tube in a chronically ventilated 80-year-old female fed via a nasogastric tube with Jevity failed. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an 18 cm-long concretion of the feeding formula,fi-lling most of the esophageal lumen,which was removed endo scopically. Forty-two cases of feeding formula esophageal bezoars have been reported in the literature. The formation of feeding formula bezoars is triggered by acidic gastroesophageal reflux. The acidic pH in the esophagus causes clotting of the casein in the formula. Predisposing factors for bezoar formation are:mechanical ventilation,supine position,neurological diseases,diabetes mellitus,hypothyroidism,obesity and history of partial gastrectomy. Diagnosis and removal of the bezoar is done endoscopically. Feeding in a semi-recumbent position,administration of prokinetic agents and proton pump inhibitors may prevent this complication.

Acute pancreatitis and small bowel obstruction caused by a migratory gastric bezoar after dissolution therapy: A case report

BACKGROUND Bezoars are conglomerates of indigestible foreign material that can be found in the gastrointestinal tract.Gastric ulcer,gastrointestinal perforation,and intestinal obstruction are the main complications.Acute pancreatitis secondary to bezoar is rare.Here,we present a rare case of a migratory gastric bezoar complicated by acute pancreatitis and small bowel obstruction after dissolution therapy.CASE SUMMARY A-65-year-old woman underwent gastroscopy because of epigastric pain,which revealed a huge bezoar and a gastric ulcer 10 d prior.The patient was discharged with a prescription of drinking 1 L Coca-Cola daily for 6 d,without repeat gastroscopy.However,she suddenly developed epigastric pain,nausea and vomiting for 3 d.Abdominal computed tomography(CT)revealed mild inflammation of the pancreas.Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed no abnormalities in the pancreatic duct or common bile duct.The nasogastric tube still showed drainage of more than 1.6 L of dark fluid each day after symptomatic treatment.Abdominal CT re-examination suggested intestinal obstruction.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a huge yellowish hard mass in the jejunal lumen,and we used the basket and net to fragment the bezoar.She was discharged with a good outcome.CONCLUSION Endoscopic therapy is the first choice for gastric bezoars.When mechanical disintegration cannot be achieved,timing of repeat endoscopy is important during Coca-Cola dissolution therapy.

Acute esophageal obstruction caused by reverse migration of gastric bezoars: A case report

BACKGROUND Bezoars can be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract.Esophageal bezoars are rare.Esophageal bezoars are classified as either primary or secondary.It is rarely reported that secondary esophageal bezoars caused by reverse migration from the stomach lead to acute esophageal obstruction.Guidelines recommend urgent upper endoscopy(within 24 h)for these impactions without complete esophageal obstruction and emergency endoscopy(within 6 h)for those with complete esophageal obstruction.Gastroscopy is regarded as the mainstay for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal bezoars.CASE SUMMARY A 59-year-old man was hospitalized due to nausea,vomiting and diarrhea for 2 d and sudden retrosternal pain and dysphagia for 10 h.He had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus for 9 years.Computed tomography revealed dilated lower esophagus,thickening of the esophageal wall,a mass-like lesion with a flocculent high-density shadow and gas bubbles in the esophageal lumen.On gastroscopy,immovable brown bezoars were found in the lower esophagus,which led to esophageal obstruction.Endoscopic fragmentation was successful,and there were no complications.The symptoms of retrosternal pain and dysphagia disappeared after treatment.Mucosal superficial ulcers were observed in the lower esophagus.Multiple biopsy specimens from the lower esophagus revealed nonspecific findings.The patient remained asymptomatic,and follow-up gastroscopy 1 wk after endoscopic fragmentation showed no evidence of bezoars in the esophagus or the stomach.CONCLUSION Acute esophageal obstruction caused by bezoars reversed migration from the stomach is rare.Endoscopic fragmentation is safe,effective and minimally invasive and should be considered as the first-line therapeutic modality.

Endoscopic management of a new entity-plastobezoar:A case report and review of literature

Foreign bodies and bezoars are commonly encountered in children. We describe a child aged 11 years who ingested large amounts of plastic material used for knitting chairs and charpoys. The conglomerate of plastic threads, entrapped food material and other debris, formed a huge mass occupying the whole stomach. Chronic irritation of the gastric antral mucosa led to ulceration and formation of hyperplastic polyps. We labeled this new entity as a “plastobezoar”. The entire bezoar could be removed endoscopically.

Successful endoscopic resolution of a large gastric bezoar in a child

Bezoars are masses or concretions of indigestible materials found in the gastrointestinal tract,usually in the stomach.Case reports of childhood gastric bezoars(particularly phytobezoars)are rare.In this age group they represent a therapeutic challenge,because of the combination of hard consistency and great size.The present report concerns an 8-year-old boy with a history of high fruit intake,presenting with abdominal complaints due to a large gastric phytobezoar.Successful endoscopic fragmentation coupled with suction removal was accomplished,using a standard-channel endoscope.Although laborious,it has been shown to be an efficacious and safe procedure,completed in one session.Endoscopic techniques for pediatric bezoar management may thus be cost effective,taking into account the avoidance ofsurgery,the length of the hospital stay and the number of endoscopic sessions.

Gastrointestinal obstruction secondary to enteral nutrition bezoar: A case report

BACKGROUND Post-operative enteral nutrition via gastric or jejunal feeding tubes is a common and standard practice in managing the critically ill or post-surgical patient.It has its own set of complications,including obstruction,abscess formation,necrosis,and pancreatitis.We present here a case of small bowel obstruction caused by enteral nutrition bezoar.It is the second recorded incidence of this complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy in the medical literature.CASE SUMMARY The 70-year-old female presented to our institution for a pancreaticoduodenectomy(Whipple’s procedure)for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.On day 5 post-operative,having failed to progress and developing symptoms of small bowel obstruction,she underwent a computed tomography scan,which showed features of mechanical small bowel obstruction.Following this,she underwent an emergency laparotomy and small bowel decompression.The recovery was long and protracted but,ultimately,she was discharged home.A literature search of reports from 1966-2020 was conducted in the MEDLINE database.We identified eight articles describing a total of 14 cases of small bowel obstruction secondary to enteral feed bezoar.Of those 14 cases,all but 4 occurred after upper gastrointestinal surgery;all but 1 case required further surgical intervention for deteriorating clinical picture.The postulated causes for this include pH changes,a reduction in pancreatic enzymes and gastric motility,and the use of opioid medication.CONCLUSION Enteral feed bezoar is a complication of enteral feeding.Despite rare incidence,it can cause significant morbidity and potential mortality.

Gastric trichobezoar associated with perforated peptic ulcer and Candida glabrata infection

Bezoars are accumulations of human or plant fiber located in the gastrointestinal tract of both humans and animals. Patients remain asymptomatic for several years, and the symptoms develop as these accumulations increase in size to the point of obstruction or perforation. We report the case of a 21-year-old patient at 10 d postpartum, who presented with acute abdomen associated with sepsis. Given the urgency of the clinical picture, at no point was the presence of a giant bezoar at gastric level suspected, specifically a trichobezoar. The emergency abdominal and pelvic ultrasound revealed only unspecific signs of perforated hollow viscus. Diagnosis was therefore made intraoperatively. A complete gastric trichobezoar was found with gastric perforation and secondary peritonitis. The peritoneal fluid culture revealed Candida glabrata.

Gastric Bezoar after Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Gastric bezoars are uncommon in the bariatric surgery population. Though popular in earlier decades, the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) is no longer a staple procedure in the United States. It has been supplanted by the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) and the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) as the most commonly performed bariatric procedures. However, there are many patients who have previously undergone VBGs, and may present with associated complications. We present a case of a gastric obstruction caused by a bezoar in a patient who had a VBG fifteen years prior to presentation.

Ileal Occlusion on Bezoars at Kati BSS Hospital

Bowel occlusions by bezoars are rare pathologies. They are due to an ob-struction of the intestinal lumen by a solid mass of fruits or undigested vegetable fibers. They are seasonal (wild fruit season from March to June) in the Sahel Zone. We report a case of small bowel obstruction in a 35-year-old rural man after swallowing a significant amount of wild grapes (Lannea microcarpa). We proceeded to the resection of the occluded ileal segment and performed an ileal terminal ileal anastomosis. There weren’t any complications during the postoperative site.