Giant gastric cast‐like trichobezoar in a cat: Computed tomography findings and surgical removal

Abstract

A 10‐year‐old, spayed, female, domestic mixed‐breed cat was presented after 1 week of vomiting three to four times daily, hyporexia and progressive abdominal enlargement. Abdominal radiographs demonstrated marked gastric distension containing heterogeneous mottled mixed gas and soft‐tissue opacity. A limited abdominal ultrasonographic examination was non‐diagnostic. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) identified a 65 × 62 × 110 mm heterogeneous intragastric mass with numerous gas foci that occupied almost the entire gastric lumen, supporting a bezoar‐type foreign body. Gastrotomy permitted removal of an intact mass conforming to the shape of the stomach; gross examination confirmed densely compacted hair. The cat recovered without an immediate postoperative complication and was discharged on postoperative day 14. No documented long‐term clinical re‐examination was available. This case is distinctive because of the exceptionally large, complete gastric cast‐like morphology. CT characterised the mass and its extent, whereas hair composition was confirmed only after removal.