Phytobezoar: A Rare Cause Of Intestinal Obstruction And Perforation

Intestinal obstruction by a phytobezoar is a rare entity reported in the literature. Small bowel phytobezoars are almost always obstructive, causing mechanical obstruction of bowel. Small-bowel perforation secondary to phytobezoars is even a rarer clinical entity, which is not well documented in the literature. A case of intestinal obstruction and perforation in a 7-year-old girl induced by phytobezoar impaction is reported. Confirmatory preoperative diagnosis was not possible. The case was diagnosed at laparotomy and postoperatively, after specific questioning. History suggestive of chronic ingestion of a local wild fruit “amlook” was obtained from the parents.