Abstract
A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal distentionand anorexia. She complicated hypothyroidism, mental retardation, and albinism. A hard.mass was palpated on the upper abdomen. Abdominal CT showed a heterogenous mass inthe stomach and the duodenum. Endoscopical examination revealed a gigantic tricho-bezoar. Since Our trial of extraction of the bezoar by the endoscopy was unsuccessfull, thebezoar was extracted by an operation. The trichobezoar was 890g in weight. lt's shapewas like the stomach with a long tail extended to the duodenum. Since then, we have continued treatment of hypothyroidism and done endoscopicalexaminations periodically. Aiso, recurrence of trichophagia has not been found. There-fore, it is suggested that her hypothyroidism related to the trichobezoar. On the other hand, underlying emotional stress is often a factor in the trichophagia. Therefore, psychiatric evaluation and therapy are essential to diminish the frequency ofrecurrences. In this case, we should continue psychiatric treatment in addition to drugtherapy and endoscopical examination.
