A CASE OF INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION DUE TO PERSIMMON BEZOARS

• Published in: Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) Vol. 65; no. 12; pp. 3206 - 3209
• Main Authors: TOBA, Shozo, YOSHIDA, Sadahiro, IMATOMI, Michiaki, SAITO, Tsuneo, NAKATA, Akiyasu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Surgical Association 2004
• ISSN: 1345-2843; 1882-5133
• DOI: 10.3919/jjsa.65.3206

A relatively rare case of intestinal obstruction due to persimmon bezoars is reported. Fifty-one cases are reported during these fifty years. A 77-year-old woman presented primarily with abdominal fullness and vomiting. Abdominal plain radiograph showed gas in the small intestine and air-fluid levels. Computed tomography showed dilation of the small intestine. Although she was diagnosed as having intestinal obstruction and treated conservatively, her symptoms persisted. Small bowel series by an ileus tube showed multiple filling defects in the small intestine. She was operated on with the diagnosis of obstruction of the ileum due to multiple foreign bodies or tumor. At laparotomy, a total of 19 foreign bodies 3 cm in maximum diameter were palpated in the ileum. Partial resection of the small intestine including the foreign bodies were performed. Foreign bodies contained over 98% tannic acid and were clarified to be persimmon bezoars. When we reviewed CT findings retrospectively, persimmon bezoars were visualized as sponge-like masses in the small intestine.