[Five cases of trichobezoars in children]

Trichobezoars are made up of concretions of ingested hair and food. A history of occlusive syndrome in a context of trichotillomania and psychological problems must lead to this diagnosis. Bezoars can be fortuitously recognised by palpation of an epigastric abdominal mass while investigating anemia or esophageal reflux. This deviance is particularly dangerous. The first case of this series illustrates the Rapunzel syndrome with many perforations and necrosis of the small bowel. The 4 others are strict intragastric bezoars, quickly identified by echography. Treatment is exclusively surgical, digestion by papain or endoscopic extraction being impossible. Psychological assistance is mandatory.