Trichobezoar in a child with concomitant coeliac disease: a case report

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.