Trichobezoar-Induced Small Bowel Obstruction in a Pediatric Patient: A Report of a Rare Case

TL;DR

A rare case of small bowel obstruction caused by a hairball in a young boy is reported, highlighting an unusual medical condition.

Contribution

This case report presents a rare instance of trichobezoar-induced bowel obstruction in a male toddler without psychiatric history.

Findings

A four-year-old boy presented with small bowel obstruction due to a trichobezoar.

The trichobezoar was confirmed to be composed of insoluble ingested hair.

The patient had no behavioral or psychiatric conditions, which is uncommon for trichobezoar cases.

Abstract

We report a rare case of a four-year-old boy with small bowel obstruction caused by a trichobezoar. The initial diagnosis in the emergency department was acute gastroenteritis. The lack of improvement and the onset of bilious vomiting associated with abdominal distention raised the suspicion of bowel obstruction. Abdominal X-ray showed dilated loops of bowel, and a CT scan of the abdomen revealed a partially peripherally calcified mass containing debris as a cause of proximal small bowel obstruction. At exploratory laparotomy, a trichobezoar was visualized and removed, relieving the obstruction. The contents confirmed to be agglutination of ingested materials that are insoluble and consistent with hair. Trichobezoar, also known as a “hairball,” is described predominantly among females, often with a psychiatric history. We report a rare case of small bowel obstruction due to trichobezoar in a male toddler with no behavioral or psychiatric illnesses.

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