Larsson L T, Nivenius K, Wettrell G
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Acta Paediatr. 2004 Feb;93(2):278-80.
We report on a case of childhood coeliac disease presenting with tricophagia and trichobezoar. The combination of obstructive symptoms, severe hypoalbuminaemia and a large abdominal mass detected on CT scan warranted diagnostic gastroscopy and laparotomy, resulting in removal of a large gastric trichobezoar. Surgical recovery was uneventful although serologic studies for coeliac disease were abnormal. Coeliac disease was confirmed by subsequent biopsy.
Concomitant trichobezoar and coeliac disease in a child is reported for the first time. It is postulated that the trichobezoar was a result of coeliac disease-induced pica.
