Gastric bezoars are mobile masses of indigestible material within the stomach that result from the ingestion of various substances, including hair (trichobezoar), indigestible plants/vegetables (phytobezoar), indigestible drugs (pharmacobezoar), or milk curd (lactobezoar). The most commonly encountered bezoars are trichobezoars, classically seen in adolescent females with trichotillomania. Patients with bezoars may present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, including small bowel obstruction. The history of the ingested substance may not be readily apparent - due to development delay, physiological disorders, or young age. Trichobezoars may be encountered on multiple imaging modalities, because of the nonspecific abdominal symptoms and lack of specific history. While a high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose bezoar on imaging, several classic signs may help pediatric radiologists make the correct diagnosis. In this educational exhibit, we present several examples of bezoars across the imaging spectrum – including radiography, upper GI, CT, ultrasound, & nuclear medicine gastric emptying studies. Associated complications and current treatment algorithms are also reviewed. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2024 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2024

Authors: Pryor William, Fordham Lynn, Smith Ben, Tulchinsky Mark, Donnelly Lane, Guimaraes Carolina

Keywords: Bezoar, trichobezoar, trichotillomania