BACKGROUND: Bezoars consist of animal, vegetable or mineral fiber concretions found in the digestive tract, considered to be phytobezoars and trichobezoars the most common forms of presentation. Bezoars cause a number of digestive pathologies including obstructions, intussusceptions, bleeding, perforations as well as enteropathies, pancreatitis, appendicitis, obstructive jaundice and others. Aim - Literature review and case report of a psychiatric patient presenting a large wood bezoar. CASE REPORT: R.F.L, a 20-year-old female, presenting neuropsychiatric disorder and history of ingesting matchsticks and colored pencils for over four years. She was admitted to our service feeling bloated, with abdominal pain and vomiting. Physical examination showed thin patient, pale skin, and slightly distended and painful abdomen. X-ray study showed numerous foreign bodies impacted in gastric region reaching the proximal section of the small intestine. She received tube feeding containing mineral oil and saline solution that resulted in elimination of a large amount of phytobezoars within the excrements. CONCLUSION: The association of bezoars with psychiatric disorders is relevant and may be recurrent. If possible these patients should be treated conservatively. Endoscopy has been shown to be the technique of choice, although its limitation depends on nature and quantity of bezoars. Surgical removal consists of longitudinal anterior gastrostomy as the preferred surgical procedure.
Bezoar; gastrointestinal; Phytobezoar; Wood bezoar
