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

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.

METHODS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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.