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
Evaluation
Management
- Removal either endoscopically if small but may require surgical removal when large