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

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

Evaluation

Management

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

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References