Rapunzel Syndrome as a Rare Presentation of Trichobezoar
December 2008
in “
The Internet journal of surgery
”
TLDR A 16-year-old girl with a hair-eating disorder needed surgery to remove a hairball from her stomach and small bowel.
Rapunzel Syndrome, a rare form of trichobezoar, involves hair fibers extending into the small bowel, causing symptoms like abdominal mass and obstruction. This case study described a 16-year-old girl with a psychiatric history and alopecia, presenting with abdominal pain and a large intra-abdominal mass. Diagnosis was confirmed via imaging, and treatment involved surgical removal of the trichobezoar. The study emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, particularly in young females with trichophagia and mental abnormalities, and recommended a multidisciplinary approach including psychiatric evaluation to prevent recurrence.