A Rare Case of Ileal Obstructive Trichobezoar in a Nine-Year-Old Child

Trichobezoar is a rare gastrointestinal condition caused by the accumulation of ingested hair within the digestive tract, most commonly affecting children and adolescents with underlying behavioral disorders. Its diagnosis can be challenging because of nonspecific clinical manifestations and limited awareness of associated psychiatric conditions in pediatric patients. We report the case of a nine-year-old boy presenting with acute small bowel obstruction secondary to a terminal ileal trichobezoar, in whom the diagnosis was suggested by abdominal computed tomography and confirmed during surgery. The trichobezoar was successfully removed through enterotomy performed 10 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. This case highlights the diagnostic value of preoperative imaging, the importance of complete intraoperative gastrointestinal exploration, and the need for psychiatric follow-up to prevent recurrence. It also emphasizes the unusual location of the trichobezoar and the diagnostic difficulties associated with this rare presentation.