Case 231: Retroperitoneal Adrenal Teratoma Presenting as Trichoptysis.

Abstract

History A 24-year-old woman from a rural village presented with vague left hypochondrium pain and a cough for the past 2 years. She had a history of occasionally expectorating hairlike strands with her cough. Because the patient was from a rural area, she first consulted with the village priest, as she presumed her illness to be some supernatural phenomenon. The priest advised her to collect the strands for religious rituals ( Fig 1 ). She collected these strands for some time; however, because her cough worsened, she visited the hospital. General physical examination findings were within normal limits. On palpation, there was evidence of a vague lump in the left hypochondrial region. At ultrasonography (US) (images not shown), a large mass with heterogeneous echotexture was seen in the left suprarenal region; cystic areas and calcification were present. Chest radiography (images not shown) revealed bronchiectatic changes, with consolidation in the left lower zone. Results of a blood examination, including assessment of renal function, liver function, and complete blood count, were within normal limits. Unenhanced and contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images of the chest and abdomen were obtained.