Description

A person who chronically swallows unhusked sunflower seeds can develop a sunflower seed bezoar, often in the distal rectum.


 

Clinical features:

(1) long term eating of unhusked sunflower seeds

(2) obstipation (intractable constipation)

(3) rectal pain during defecation

 

Physical exam may show the "colonic crunch" sign during the digital rectal examination.

 

The patient may require disimpaction under sedation or general anesthesia.

 


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