bezoar (trichobezoar)

Introduction

A collection of hair, fibers & other nondigestible material in the stomach or intestine.

Etiology

• chronic ingestion of indigestible substances (months to years)

Clinical manifestations

• nausea/vomiting
• alternating constipation/diarrhea
• epigastric discomfort
• bloating
• palpable upper abdominal mass Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD):
  • mass of hair, fiber, seeds & other indigestible material

Radiology

• upper GI series may reveal displacement of barium by a mass' or radiopaque material

More general terms

• abnormal morphologic structure (malformation)