Bezoar

Background

• Mass within the gastrointestinal system
• Made up of organic or inorganic material
• Commonly from eating hair or indigestible materials
• Risk factors include intellectual disability or emotional disturbance
• More common females aged 10 to 19 years of age

Clinical Features

• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gastric ulcers

Types of Bezoars

• Food boluses
• Lactobezoar (seen in premature infants receiving formula)
• Pharmacobezoars (medications, especially overdoses of sustained-release medications
• Phytobezoars (indigestible plant material)
• Trichobezoar (hair)

Differential Diagnosis

• See Abdominal pain
• See Nausea and vomiting

Management

• Removal either endoscopically if small but may require surgical removal when large