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Coconut matting bezoar identified by a combined analytical approach
Journal of Clinical Pathology
|February 1, 1986
Summary
A rare gastric bezoar made of coconut matting was identified in a patient. Advanced spectroscopy techniques confirmed the unusual fiber composition, highlighting their diagnostic value for foreign material identification.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Bezoars are indigestible masses found in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Most gastric bezoars are phytobezoars (plant matter) or trichobezoars (hair).
- Rare bezoars composed of unusual materials pose diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A bezoar composed of coconut matting fibers was discovered in the stomach of a male patient.
- The patient's history did not immediately suggest the ingestion of such material.
- Visual examination alone was insufficient to determine the bezoar's composition.
Findings:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the unique morphology of the coconut fibers.
- X-ray energy spectroscopy (XES) provided elemental analysis of the material.
- Microscopic infrared spectroscopy (MIS) confirmed the organic nature and specific composition of the fibers.
Implications:
- This case underscores the necessity of advanced analytical techniques for diagnosing rare bezoars.
- SEM, XES, and MIS are crucial for identifying the precise nature of ingested foreign materials.
- Understanding bezoar composition aids in clinical management and prevention strategies.
