Rapunzel Syndrome in Congenital Mental Retardation Patient Requiring Emergency Laparotomy. Case report

Introduction: When hair accumulates inside the stomach, it causes what is called a Trichobezoar, which leads to a stomach blockage. When the accumulated hair extends into the small intestine, it causes a rare disturbance called Rapunzel syndrome (RS).

Discussion: Affected patients infrequently remain asymptomatic for several years. Symptoms begin while the bezoar increases in size to the point of obstruction, these symptoms are nonspecific like vomiting, nausea, anorexia, asymptomatic abdominal mass and digestive bleeding.

Presentation of case: The authors report an unusual case of a 25 years old young woman who presented with acute abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms. With an upper gastroscopy, the condition was first diagnosed as a Trichobezoar that occupied the stomach. A decision to perform a surgical procedure was taken, only to discover, during the procedure, that the mass was extended to the duodenum and jejunum, thus diagnosing the condition as Rapunzel syndrome. The patient was managed by surgical removal of the huge mass.

Conclusion: Trichobezoar considers as a differential diagnosis for any patient with mental retardation and has gastrointestinal symptoms.

Keywords: Abdominal mass; Rapunzel syndrome; Trichobezoar; Trichotillomania.