Trichobezoar: A Case Report

Case RepoRtmesogastrium, of stabbing character, with an intensity of 8/10 on the analog pain scale, nausea, and hyporexia.She reported no medical, surgical, or allergic history.On physical examination, BP was 117/59 mm Hg; HR 78 bpm; RR 19 rpm; SpO 2 98%.She had dry oral mucosa; the abdomen was distended, and palpation revealed a hard mass with irregular edges, non-mobile and painful in the epigastrium.An extra-institutional total abdominal ultrasound reported the presence of a semi-circular image with hyperechoic edges and marked posterior shadowing of approximately 105 77 mm, suggesting a calcified appearance, possibly of pancreatic or gastric origin.In the emergency department, intravenous fluid replacement, analgesia, and laboratory tests were indicated, which reported: leukocytes 8,110; neutrophils 4,520; hemoglobin IntroductIonBezoars are indigestible masses formed by ingested exogenous material that affect the upper gastrointestinal tract.They enter and accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the stomach. 1 Their formation is linked to abnormal gastric and psychological disorders, 2,3 making them a medical phenomenon of great interest.The term bezoar derives from the Arabic word bedzher, meaning antidote, 4 reflecting its use in ancient times as a remedy for snake venom. 5,6Among the different types of bezoars, the trichobezoar stands out for its unusual composition: a mass of compacted hair, mixed with mucus and decaying food debris.It was first described in humans in 1779 by Baudamant, 4 and has since been reported mainly in adolescents with a history of trichophagia and psychiatric disorders.However, its rarity in adults makes it an exceptional finding, worthy of study.Medical literature typically documents isolated cases or small series of patients, 7,8 meaning that each new report provides valuable information for understanding the case.This paper presents the case of a 20-year-old woman, analyzing her clinical picture, the diagnostic process, and the treatment applied.Following the CARE (Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting Guideline Development), this report seeks to contribute to the dissemination of a fascinating topic that, although rare, may have significant clinical implications. case descrIptIonA 20-year-old female patient from a rural area reported a clinical picture of 1-year duration consisting of a mass in the epigastrium associated with unmeasured weight loss and, 4 days prior to admission, abdominal pain in the epigastrium radiating to the 1-