Intestinal phytobezoars: the characteristic CT image

The development of phytobezoars causing intestinal obstruction are reported in two patients who had undergone previous stomach surgery. The findings on plain radiography, ultrasonography and CT are described and the role of the latter as the method of choice in the diagnosis of this uncommon lesion is stressed. CT fulfills four objectives in this study: it confirms the presence of intestinal obstruction, determines the exact site and the cause, and detects the coexistence of gastric bezoar. The characteristic image of intestinal bezoar is that of an endoluminal mass containing a patchy gaseous area. (Author) 8 refs