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Aim: To raise awareness about the existence of Rapunzel syndrome in female adolescents with acute pancreatitis. Case report: A 15-year-old girl came to the emergency pediatric clinic due to the occasional pain in the upper abdomen, which had intensified a few days before her arrival. During physical examination, a painful resistance of approximately 10 cm in diameter was palpated in the epigastrium and the right hypochondrium. Extensive laboratory analysis revealed raised concentrations of pancreatic enzymes so a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was made. Further examination indicated gastroscopy, which showed a mass of hair at the entrance to the stomach. Computed tomography revealed that the mass reached all the way to the duodenal bulbus. After the conservative treatment of pancreatitis, the abdominal pain regresses and the pancreatic enzymes returned to normal so the operative treatment was indicated. Exploratory laparotomy and gastrotomy were performed. A kilogram heavy and 25 cm long trichobezoar in the shape of the gastric lumen and the initial part of the duodenum were exploited. Rapunzel syndrome was diagnosed. The child psychiatrist confirmed the presence of trichotillomania and trichophagia, so the girl was referred to the psychotherapy treatment. Conclusion: Rapunzel syndrome is a very rare condition but should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in adolescents. Specific symptoms of trichotillomania and trichophagia in combination with non-specific symptoms such as prolonged abdominal pain should raise the suspicion of the development of trichobezoars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Trichotillomania is a type of traumatic alopecia and is defined as the irresistible urge to pull out the hair. It is classified as impulse control disorder. This chronic, recurrent disorder with dermatologic expression has specific symptomatology, affects daily activities and leads to social isolation. Goal: The aim of the study was to investigate mannerism between symptoms in population with trichotillomania and to determine connection with other habits and disorders as well as treatment differences and efficiency. Material and methods: This prospective research was conducted within 880 people with trichotillomania from all around the world in a period from November 5th to December 15th,2016. The data were collected by using a standardized internet questionnaire. Results: Symptoms of trichotillomania usually start between 9 and 13 years. 48,5% respondents localize their disorder on one specific body region. The most involved are scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes. 56,5% of the patients pull their hairs everyday, 61,6% even in company. Oral habits are present in 20,9%. Trichotillomania is associated with dermatillomania in 42.0%, nail biting habit in 37.0%, alcohol (21.7%) and drug abuse (12.3%), anxiety (60.6%), affective (55.3%), obsessive-compulsive (19.4%) and sleep disorders (11.3%). The most effective treatment seem to be combination of psychotherapy, antipsychotic and antidepressant. Conclusion: Trichotillomania shows diverse psychiatric appearance in most cases, so there is not specific treatment for this condition. It is necessary to treat trichotillomania with their comorbidities, especially the ones with oral habits, who present potential surgical patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]