[Rapunzel syndrome in a child with trisomy 21: a case report]

Trichobezoard is a rare condition characterized by a gastric mass composed of hair or fibers due to a compulsive attitude (trichotillomania) and an eating disorder (trichophagia). Gastric trichobezoar is the most common form and may extend into the small bowel, sometimes reaching the last ileal loop, or even the transverse colon, resulting in Rapunzel syndrome. We here report a case of gastroduodenal and small intestine trichoboozoar in a 6-year-old girl with facies of trisomy, presenting with recurrent abdominal pain lasting for one months and suspected gastrointestinal lymphoma. The diagnosis of trichoboozoar was based on surgery. The purpose of this study is to give an overview of the history of this rare condition and to clarify the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used.