DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Indigestible ball of hair in the stomach due to trichophagia. Trichobezoare are a ball of swallowed, indigestible materials such as hair, which is physiologically formed as trichobezoars in the stomach of birds of prey or cats after the devouring of prey. In humans they can develop as a result of trichophagia into the duodenum. The skin symptoms are usually characterized by a circumscribed alopecia(trichotillomania).
Clinical consequences are recurrent colic ("Rapunzel syndrome"), in rare cases gastrointestinal perforations.
Extensive trichobezoars must be surgically removed.
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
The name "Bezoar" is derived from the Arabic, from "bazahr".
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer