Bezoar Types in Children and Aetiological Factors Affecting Bezoar Formation

Abstract

Background: Bezoar is formed as a result of the accumulation of undigested food or foreign substances in the gastrointestinal tract (GIS). The present study aims to investigate the bezoar types seen in children and the aetiological factors involved in bezoar formation. Methods: A total of 16 patients who underwent an endoscopy and/or surgical treatment for bezoar at Harran University, Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Surgery Clinic between 2011 and 2019 were included in the study. The demographic information, laboratory and radiological findings were obtained from the patients' file records. Results: A total of ten patients (62.5%) were female with a mean age of 7.8 ± 4.9 years. Phytobezoars were detected in ten patients, trichobezoars in two patients, lactobezoar in one patient, and other types in three patients. The aetiological factors were determined to be congenital GIS anomaly in 6 (37.5%) patients; trichotillomania in 2 (12.5%) patients; mental retardation in 2 (12.5%) patients; ingestion of a foreign body during infancy in 2 (12.5%) patients; high intake of high-fibre fruit in 3 (18.5%) patients; and postoperative dysmotility in 2 (12.5%) patients. Conclusions: Congenital GIS anomalies are mostly responsible for bezoar etiology in children and phytobezoar is the most common type of bezoar.

Bezoar in Meckel's diverticulum: Case report and narrative review

“…In our study, there were no reported psychiatric or gastrointestinal surgery histories as common risk factors for bezoar formation [ 4 , 5 , 9 ]. Dietary habits included excessive consumption of fruits or vegetables in 24.4 % of the cases and accidental ingestion of metallic objects in 17 % of the cases.…”

“…A bezoar is a concretion of indigestible foreign material in the gastrointestinal tract [ 4 ]. It can result from dietary habits, poor food digestion, overeating, gastrointestinal surgery, and psychiatric disorders [ 4 , 5 ]. Meckel's diverticulum and bezoar can both remain asymptomatic, although bezoar is known to be a precipitating factor for symptoms related to Meckel's diverticulum [ 2 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Indigestible Trichobezoar Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case Report and a Literature Review

“…Four primary types of bezoars have been described based on the nature of the forming materials, which are always non-food items taken orally, accidentally or intentionally [2,3]. Phytobezoars, the most common type, contain plant and vegetable substances, such as shells, seeds, and fruit remnants; trichobezoars are mainly composed of ingested hair; pharmacobezoars are conglomerates of medications; and lactobezoars are undigested masses of concentrated infant milk formula and mucus.…”