Sunflower seed bezoar leading to fecal impaction.

We report the cases of two children, ages 8 and 10 years, with painful defecation and constipation due to impaction of sunflower seed shells that did not respond to laxative and enema therapy. Physical examination revealed a prickly mass in the rectal vault. Proctoscopy revealed bezoars of sunflower seed shells, which were removed by endoscopic biopsy forceps followed by a combination of rectal irrigation and manual disimpaction. The rectal pain resolved, and bowel habits returned to normal with laxatives. Patients with rectal bezoars who fail to respond to enemas or colonic lavage may require endoscopic management for resolution of their symptoms.