Am J Psychiatry 1976; 133:580-582
Copyright © 1976 by American Psychiatric Association
Hypothalamic tumor presenting as anorexia nervosa
GB Heron and DA Johnston
The authors describe a patient with symptoms of anorexia nervosa who was
initially treated on a psychiatric ward but was later found to have a
hypothalamic tumor. They recommend repeated neurological and endocrine
evaluations for patients with anorexia nervosa who are unresponsive or only
partially responsive to psychiatric treatment. Initially negative medical
evaluations, obvious psychopathology, and even some response to treatment
may all prove insufficient to rule out organic disease.
