A rare cause of intestinal obstruction in a child: Colonic lithobezoar

Authors : Aziz Serhat Baykara

Pages : 21-24

View : 37 | Download : 84

Publication Date : 2024-04-30

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :Lithobezoar is a very rare clinical condition called stone accumulation in any part of the digestive system secondary to the habit of eating soil, stone and clay. In this article, we aimed to present a case of colonic lithobezoar in a child with geophagia, iron deficiency anemia, and behavioral disorder. A 4-year-old male patient presented with complaints of cramp-like abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation for five days. The patient had a history of soil eating habit (geophagia) for two years. Laboratory tests showed that he had iron deficiency anemia. There was no sign of peritonitis in the abdominal examination, but many irregular masses were palpated. Hard fecalites were also present on rectal examination. Multiple radiopaque masses were detected along the colon tracing on abdominal X-ray. Colon stones were evacuated with a conservative approach by rectal intervention under general anesthesia. After the intervention, the patient was given iron deficiency treatment and psychiatric support. Colonic lithobezoar is a condition that can usually be treated with a conservative approach. Delay in diagnosis may cause intestinal obstruction and/or perforation. It is important to change the eating habits against the possibility of recurrence after the intervention and to get psychiatric support for behavioral problems.
Keywords : litobezoar, kolonik obstrüksiyon, çocuk