Case Report

'Rapunzel syndrome' trichobezoar in a 7-year-old girl: a case report

Ali H Al Wadan , Hamed Al Kaff , Jamila Al Senabani and Azan S Al Saadi

Kwait University Hospital, Sana'a medical SchooL, Wadi Dhaher Road, P.O. Box 1247, Sana'a, Yemen

author email corresponding author email

Cases Journal 2008, 1:205doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-205

Published:	2 October 2008

Abstract

Background

Rapunzel syndrome is a rare type of trichobezoar with an extension of the hair into the small bowel. Clinical presentation is deceptive and vague ranging from abdominal mass to gastrointestinal symptoms.

Case presentation

We present a 7 years old girl with Rapunzel syndrome, where the trichobezoar was not suspected at all especially with negative history of trichophagia. In majority of the cases the diagnosis was made very late in the history of the disease, at a stage where surgery is the only cure for this syndrome.

Conclusion

In the paediatric age group with a long history of gastrointestinal symptom, endoscopy is a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic modality and may reduce surgery in trichobezoars.