Azevedo S, Lopes J, Marques A, Mourato P, Freitas L, Lopes AI. Successful endoscopic resolution of a large gastric bezoar in a child. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2011; 3(6): 129-132 [PMID: 21860681 DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v3.i6.129]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ana Isabel Lopes, MD, PhD, Gastrenterology Unit, Pediatric Department, University Hospital Santa Maria, Medical Faculty of Lisbon, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal. anaisalopes@sapo.pt
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Jun 16, 2011; 3(6): 129-132 Published online Jun 16, 2011. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v3.i6.129
Successful endoscopic resolution of a large gastric bezoar in a child
Sara Azevedo, João Lopes, António Marques, Paula Mourato, Lucília Freitas, Ana Isabel Lopes
Sara Azevedo, Paula Mourato, Lucília Freitas, Gastrenterology Unit, Pediatric Department, University Hospital Santa Maria, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
João Lopes, António Marques, Gastroenterology Department, University Hospital Santa Maria, Av. Professor EGas Moniz, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
Ana Isabel Lopes, Gastrenterology Unit, Pediatric Department, University Hospital Santa Maria, Medical Faculty of Lisbon, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
Author contributions: All the authors made substantial contributions to the conception and design of this paper, the acquisition of the data (including endoscopy participation) or analysis and interpretation of the data, to drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content, and to the final approval of the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Ana Isabel Lopes, MD, PhD, Gastrenterology Unit, Pediatric Department, University Hospital Santa Maria, Medical Faculty of Lisbon, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal. anaisalopes@sapo.pt
Telephone: +351-919-075-306 Fax: +351-217-805-623
Received: October 20, 2010 Revised: May 10, 2011 Accepted: May 17, 2011 Published online: June 16, 2011
Abstract
Bezoars are masses or concretions of indigestible materials found in the gastrointestinal tract, usually in the stomach. Case reports of childhood gastric bezoars (particularly phytobezoars) are rare. In this age group they represent a therapeutic challenge, because of the combination of hard consistency and great size. The present report concerns an 8-year-old boy with a history of high fruit intake, presenting with abdominal complaints due to a large gastric phytobezoar. Successful endoscopic fragmentation coupled with suction removal was accomplished, using a standard-channel endoscope. Although laborious, it has been shown to be an efficacious and safe procedure, completed in one session. Endoscopic techniques for pediatric bezoar management may thus be cost effective, taking into account the avoidance of surgery, the length of the hospital stay and the number of endoscopic sessions.
