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Trapped In Transit – A Case Report of a Pediatric Gastric Bezoar Causing Intermittent Small Bowel Obstruction

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: A 14-year-old female patient presented to the pediatric emergency department (ED) with chief complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting, and unintentional weight loss. A palpable abdominal mass was noted on exam, prompting a computed tomography (CT) scan which revealed a gastric bezoar that had fragmented, leading to intermittent and spontaneously resolving small bowel obstruction. The patient underwent surgical removal of the bezoar for definitive management. This report highlights a novel case of spontaneous bezoar fragmentation and its associated imaging findings. Because this phenomenon represents the description of a rare occurrence, the goal is to enhance the emergency medicine providers' understanding of an uncommon cause of abdominal masses and small bowel obstruction (SBO). Topics: Pediatrics, bezoar, bowel obstruction.

Source: Journal of Education and Teaching in Emergency Medicine

DOI: 10.5070/m5.52259

Authors: Jonah A Frueh, Arinzechukwu M Obegolu, Anil G Rao, Amanda E Mulcrone

Institutions: Advocate Christ Medical Center, Advocate Children's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Intestinal and Peritoneal Adhesions

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $150