MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Bezoar

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Bezoar

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Stomach and small intestine

Alternative names Return to top

Trichobezoar; Hairball

Definition Return to top

A bezoar is a ball of swallowed foreign material (usually hair or fiber) that collects in the stomach and fails to pass through the intestines.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Chewing on or eating hair or fuzzy materials (or indigestible materials such as plastic bags) can lead to the formation of a bezoar. The incidence is very low and the risk is greater among mentally retarded or emotionally disturbed children. Generally bezoars are seen in females (approximately 90%) aged 10 to 19.

Symptoms Return to top

indigestion
stomach upset or distress
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
pain
gastric ulcers

Signs and tests Return to top

The child may have a lump in the abdomen (stomach) that can be felt by the health care provider. A barium swallow X-ray will show the mass in the stomach, sometimes a scope if used (endoscopy) to directly visualize the bezoar.

Treatment Return to top

The bezoar may need to be surgically removed (especially trichobezoars which tend to be large). Sometimes small bezoars can be removed through a scope placed through the mouth and into the stomach (similar to an EGD procedure). Then, follow the prevention measures described.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Full recovery is expected.

Complications Return to top

Persistent vomiting can lead to dehydration.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if you suspect your child has a bezoar.

Prevention Return to top

If your child has had a bezoar in the past, trim the child's hair short so he or she cannot put the ends in the mouth. Keep indigestable materials away from a child that has a tendency to put items in the mouth.

Be sure to remove the child's access to fuzzy or fiber-filled materials.

Update Date: 10/30/2003

Updated by: Philip L. Graham III, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of New York, Columbia University, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.