Rapunzel syndrome
Rapunzel syndrome is an extremely rare intestinal condition in humans resulting from ingesting hair (trichophagia).[1][2] The syndrome is named after the long-haired girl Rapunzel in the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. Trichophagia is sometimes associated with the hair-pulling disorder trichotillomania.[3]
Signs and symptoms
Characteristics of the syndrome include:
- The body of a trichobezoar (hairball) located in the stomach, and its tail (hence the reference to Rapunzel in the syndrome's name) in the small bowel and/or in the right colon
- Small or large bowel obstruction
- Occurring in psychiatric patients
- Trichotillomania
Treatment
Because the human gastrointestinal tract is unable to digest human hair, the trichobezoar may have to be treated surgically. Patients usually also require psychiatric evaluation and treatment due to the association with Impulse-control disorders, especially Trichotillomania.[4]
References
Further reading
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