Abstract

Bezoars are persistent concretions of indigestible material, usually seen in the stomach. Esophageal bezoars are very rare and generally occur in elderly patients with anatomic defects such as diverticulum or stricture, or with esophageal motility disorders. However, it is quite unusual that a gastric bezoar would be regurgitated into a normal esophagus during forceful vomiting. Endoscopic removal of a bezoar is safe and successful in most cases. A case of a gastric bezoar regurgitated into the esophagus was recently experienced and removed by an endoscopic polypectomy snare and bezoar (lithotripsy) basket. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 19: 930∼934, 1999)

• Keywords: Esophageal bezoar, Reflux, Endoscopic removal