Double and synchronous trichobezoars causing small-bowel obstruction and detected by multidetector computed tomography: report of two cases

Abstract

A trichobezoar is a rare mass formed by the ingestion and accumulation of hair within the gastrointestinal tract, especially the stomach. Cases of an isolated gastric trichobezoar with extension into the duodenum or the jejunum have been reported; however, synchronous gastric and intestinal trichobezoars causing a small-bowel obstruction is very unusual. We report our experience of two such cases to demonstrate the efficiency of preoperative multidetector computed tomography in locating the double bezoars and assisting us in surgical decision making. Open surgery is inevitable for symptomatic bezoars, because the masses are too hard and large to break up with endoscopic devices.