Hair Today, OR Tomorrow: A Multicenter Case Series of Gastric Bezoars in Children Diagnosed With Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2025 Jan 1;41(1):63-67. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000003238. Epub 2024 Sep 27.

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can expedite the diagnosis of pediatric abdominal pathologies including appendicitis and intussusception. In this patient series, we present cases from multiple pediatric emergency departments that demonstrate the use of POCUS in the diagnosis of trichobezoars in children. POCUS findings include the presence of an intragastric hyperechoic mass or a hyperechoic arch and associated posterior acoustic shadowing. These findings in the appropriate clinical context should prompt further diagnostic imaging and/or surgical consultation for removal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bezoars* / diagnostic imaging
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Female
  • Hair / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Stomach* / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography* / methods