Gastrointestinal trichobezoars in the pediatric population: a retrospective study

The resistance of human hair to digestion, limited peristaltic propulsion caused by its smooth surface, and pyloric valve effect contribute to hair accumulation between the gastric mucosal folds. Furthermore, the hair may assume the shape of the gastric lumen [4]. The propulsive movements of the stomach can extend a part of the trichobezoar to the small bowel, thereby causing the Rapunzel syndrome [5]. Occasionally, fragments of the hair conglomerate may become detached and migrate to the small bowel [6]. Therefore, there can be different outcomes, such as gastric trichobezoar, Rapunzel syndrome, enteral trichobezoar, or multiple. In some reports and reviews, gastric trichobezoar and Rapunzel syndrome accounted for 82–100% of all cases [7‐10], and isolated intestinal trichobezoar was extremely rare. Intestinal trichobezoars are commonly impacted in the narrowest locations of the small bowel, such as the ileum, jejunal diverticulum, or at a postoperative stenosis [6, 11]. In our study, trichobezoars were observed in the stomach in 86% of the patients. Furthermore, three patients presented with isolated intestinal trichobezoars. The BZs were located in the jejunum, approximately 50 cm distal to the Treitz ligament, in two cases and in the ileum, 80 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve, in one case. A patient with jejunal trichobezoar underwent gastroscopy at a local hospital 2 months back. Examination revealed a large mass of hair and threads. At that time, the attempted removal failed, and the results of gastroscopy performed at our hospital were negative. Later surgery revealed that the whole hair conglomerate had migrated completely into the jejunum.

The symptoms and physical signs were based on the size and location of the trichobezoar and the presence of complications [7]. In the early stage, most patients may be asymptomatic. That is, they do not experience pathological signs or symptoms. If the size increases, the patient may experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety, weight loss, hematemesis, diarrhea, and constipation. As obstruction progresses, post prandial vomiting and colicky abdominal pain may occur [12]. In our series, the most common presenting signs and symptoms were abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and palpable abdominal mass. In children with explicit hair eating, symptoms usually appear after 1–6 years. The symptoms of patients with gastric trichobezoars can be significantly relieved after vomiting and fasting and can be aggravated after eating. According to other reports, the major complications included stomach or intestinal perforation, intussusception, volvulus, obstructive jaundice, protein-losing enteropathy, pancreatitis, and even mortality [13]. In this study, three cases of intestinal trichobezoars were complicated with small intestinal obstruction, and the symptoms were abdominal pain and biliary vomiting. However, there were no other serious complications.

A history of hair eating or presence of hair in the vomit or feces is commonly helpful in diagnosing trichobezoar. Lack of a proper data on medical history may affect the identification of a preoperative diagnosis. In our series, the parents of some patients (n = 15) provided us with data regarding a history of hair eating or presence of hair in the vomit or feces. Therefore, the possibility of trichobezoar should be considered initially. However, the diagnosis of trichobezoar is still dependent on abdominal radiological examinations.

Gastroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing gastric trichobezoar [14]. Under gastroscopy, direct observation is possible to obtain a clear diagnosis. However, it may not confirm the presence of a co-existing Rapunzel syndrome duo to a large mass, nor is it suitable for intestinal trichobezoar.

Plain abdominal film can show a gastric-shaped, partly opacified area. However, this condition is more helpful in diagnosing gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation [15].

BZ appears on ultrasonography as a gastric or intraluminal mass with a hyperechoic arc-like surface accompanied by acoustic shadowing [15]. Ultrasonography shows a band of increased echogenicity caused by the intermixed of hair, air, and food in the trichobezoar [14]. In our series, gastric trichobezoar present with a huge hyperechoic mass accompanied by acoustic shadowing in the back. Small intestinal trichobezoar showed multiple punctate and filamentous high-echo along the longitudinal and transverse axis of the bowel, which were more helpful for diagnosis. In some children with Rapunzel syndrome, the hair bundle passes through the pylorus on ultrasonography, and it can be differentiated from some hyperechoic tumors [9]. However, B-ultrasonography has a strong personal subjectivity. If physicians have an insufficient understanding of this disease, it can be easily misdiagnosed.

CT scan is a superior imaging tool as it does not only identify a heterogenous BZ but can also define its extension and detect concomitant gastric and one or more small-bowel BZs [16, 17]. On CT scan image, gastric trichobezoar presents as a hypodense and heterogeneous mass within the stomach with a mesh-like pattern. Enteric BZ is a dilated small-bowel loop and a well-defined round or ovoid, heterogeneous intraluminal mass at the transition zone. Small-bowel BZs may be similar to small-bowel feces. Feces-like materials occupy a longer dilated intestinal segment, and they are located proximal to the obstruction site [15]. Our study found that gastric trichobezoars were similar, as described above, with a growth ring appearance. However, the appearance of the small intestine differed, and it was indeed similar to feces. In two patients with small-bowel trichobezoar, CT scans showed evident intraluminal masses containing patchy gas and echogenicity similar to feces, thereby occupying a longer dilated intestinal segment. The proximal intestinal wall was significantly thickened, and the distal end collapsed. Further, both structures were accompanied by ascites. However, the feces are commonly located in the colon. If observed in the small intestine, it is considered abnormal. Due to the rarity of this disease and insufficient understanding among physicians, the condition was misdiagnosed as normal gastric contents or feces in four patients in this series. Obviously, not every patient needs all these examinations. We formulated a simple algorithm which can help select an appropriate diagnostic examinations based on the history and clinical presentation (Fig. 4).

Trichobezoar should be treated to completely remove the mass and prevent recurrence. The treatment is based on the size and location of the trichobezoar, and three techniques, including laparotomy, laparoscopy, and endoscopy, have been proposed. Trichobezoar can be removed endoscopically. However, the success rate is low due to the size, density, and hardness of trichobezoar. Moreover, multiple repeated introductions of the endoscope, pressure ulceration, esophagitis, and even esophageal perforation may occur. The fragments of a large trichobezoar might migrate after fragmentation or repeated manipulation via the pylorus, thereby causing intestinal obstruction further distally [6]. In this study, in one patient, gastric trichobezoar was not successfully removed under gastroscopy at a local hospital, and intestinal obstruction developed after 2 months. The BZ was found in the jejunum. Thus, the endoscopic removal of large symptomatic trichobezoars is not appropriate, and surgery should be considered.

Due to a high success rate, low complication rate, decreased complexity, and ability to examine the whole GIT, laparotomy is still considered as the treatment of choice for trichobezoar [6]. Some reports have indicated the successful laparoscopic removal of trichobezoars in pediatric patients [18‐20]. However, the procedure could prolong operative time, increase the risk of trichobezoar content spillage, and extend umbilical incision or add another incision [14]. Laparotomy was performed successfully in all cases. In five cases, LAML was conducted to remove trichobezoars. Laparoscopy can explore the stomach and small intestine to determine the location of the trichobezoar, whether there are satellite lesions or multiple trichobezoars. Thus, large incisions can be prevented, and the intestines outside the abdominal cavity will not be exposed. If the location of the trichobezoar was identified laparoscopically, a mini transverse incision was made in the left upper or right abdomen. LAML had a slight advantage over laparotomy in terms of operative time, time to initial oral feeding, and length of postoperative stay. However, the results did not significantly differ, and the incision length was significantly shorter. Minilaparotomy can remove the BZ without prolonging operative time, with a better postoperative cosmesis and shorter recovery time.

Long term follow-up and professional psychotherapy are critical after surgery to prevent recurrences [14]. However, this is not applicable to all patients who may not require psychotherapy after stopping trichophagia for several years but still need follow-up. Moreover, we had a patient with recurrent gastric trichobezoar who refused psychotherapy after surgery. Thus, trichophagia persisted, and trichobezoar formed again after 2 years.

The limitations of this study are its retrospective nature. The study was conducted at a single institution, with a small sample size, a large time span, and the heterogeneity in surgical skills among surgeons. The surgery was performed by different surgeons, and the methods were based on the surgeon’s preferences and operative experiences. Therefore, there are limitations in accurately comparing the results of patients between different surgical groups. Furthermore, larger multi-center prospective studies with standardized protocols are recommended to elucidate the role of US and CT in the diagnosis of trichobezoar, and laparoscopic surgery in the management of trichobezoar. However, to the best of our knowledge, this report is one of the largest pediatric series from a single center to date, providing evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of trichobezoar to date.