Giant Gastric Trichobezoar: A Rare Cause of Chronic Epigastric Pain
Fatima Machayi *
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Khaoula Haij
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Asmaa Sadik
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Hala Aouroud
Département de Physiologie, Université Cadi Ayad, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Oussama Nacir
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Fatima Ezzahra Lairani
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Adil Ait Errami
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Sofia Oubaha
Département de Physiologie, Université Cadi Ayad, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Zouhour Samlani
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Khadija Krati
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Gastric trichobezoar is a rare cause of chronic digestive symptoms and gastric outlet obstruction, predominantly affecting young females. We report the case of an adolescent presenting with chronic epigastric pain and a large gastric mass. Imaging by abdominal computed tomography revealed a heterogeneous intragastric mass containing air bubbles, confirmed by endoscopy, making endoscopic extraction impossible. The patient persistently denied any history of trichophagia, highlighting the diagnostic challenge. Surgical gastrotomy allowed complete removal of the trichobezoar. This case highlights the the importance of considering gastric trichobezoar in young females with a gastric mass and chronic digestive symptoms, even in the context of denial, as well as the essential roles of imaging, endoscopy, surgery, and psychiatric follow-up to prevent recurrence.
Keywords: Gastric trichobezoar, bezoar, gastric mass, denial, trichophagia, gastrotomy, endoscopy, abdominal imaging