Bezoar
Updates to Article Attributes
Bezoars are accumulations of indigestible contents within the gastrointestinal tract 2.
Epidemiology
Associations
- previous gastric surgery 2
- psychiatric illness
Pathology
There are several types depending on the predominant components:
- trichobezoar: a bezoar formed from hair, this has also been called Rapunzel syndrome when the tail of the trichobezoar extends some distance through the small bowel
-
phytobezoar: composed of indigestible food material (e.g. cellulose) and are frequently reported in patients with impaired digestion and decreased gastric motility
- diospyrobezoar: a subtype of phytobezoar secondary to the consumption of unripe persimmons 5
- trichophytobezoar: a mixture of hair and plant-derived components
- pharmacobezoar: (a.k.a. medication bezoars) mostly undigested tablets or semi-liquid masses of drugs
- lactobezoar: containing undigested milk curds
Radiographic features
Bezoars are known to cause small bowel obstruction and sometimes CT may demonstrate the bezoar as a mass in the obstructed segment of bowel. The bezoar may be outlined by fluid in the proximally dilated small bowel, and the mass may be mottled owing to air trapped within it.
History and etymology
Premodern medicine considered bezoars a special kind of stone with antidote properties. Until the 18th century a gold mounted bezoar was included in the crown jewels. Some ancient pharmacopoeias list 'unicorn horns' as an acceptable alternative if a bezoar is not available. In the late 15th century, Eastern porcupine bezoars were considered especially valuable 4.
The word "bezoar" has
Differential diagnosis
- in small bowel loops consider small bowel faeces sign 3
See also
-</ol><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Bezoars are known to cause <a href="/articles/small-bowel-obstruction">small bowel obstruction</a> and sometimes CT may demonstrate the bezoar as a mass in the obstructed segment of bowel. The bezoar may be outlined by fluid in the proximally dilated small bowel, and the mass may be mottled owing to air trapped within it.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>Premodern medicine considered bezoars a special kind of stone with antidote properties. Until the 18<sup>th</sup> century a gold mounted bezoar was included in the crown jewels. Some ancient pharmacopoeias list 'unicorn horns' as an acceptable alternative if a bezoar is not available. In the late 15<sup>th</sup> century, Eastern porcupine bezoars were considered especially valuable <sup>4</sup>.</p><p>The word "bezoar" has </p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul><li>in small bowel loops consider <a href="/articles/small-bowel-faeces-sign-2">small bowel faeces sign</a> <sup>3</sup>- +</ol><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Bezoars are known to cause <a href="/articles/small-bowel-obstruction">small bowel obstruction</a> and sometimes CT may demonstrate the bezoar as a mass in the obstructed segment of bowel. The bezoar may be outlined by fluid in the proximally dilated small bowel, and the mass may be mottled owing to air trapped within it.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>Premodern medicine considered bezoars a special kind of stone with antidote properties. Until the 18<sup>th</sup> century a gold mounted bezoar was included in the crown jewels. Some ancient pharmacopoeias list 'unicorn horns' as an acceptable alternative if a bezoar is not available. In the late 15<sup>th</sup> century, Eastern porcupine bezoars were considered especially valuable <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul><li>in small bowel loops consider <a href="/articles/small-bowel-faeces-sign-2">small bowel faeces sign</a> <sup>3</sup>
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