The Rapunzel syndrome (trichobezoar) causing atypical intussusception in a child: a case report

Abstract

The Rapunzel syndrome (trichobezoar) occurs when gastrointestinal obstruction is produced by a rare manifestation of a trichobezoar with a long tail that extends to or beyond the ileocecal valve. A case history of a 7-year-old girl is described. This is the eleventh patient with Rapunzel syndrome reported in the literature. The epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, complications, treatment, and literature are reviewed briefly.