Pineal germinoma presenting as anorexia nervosa: Case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE

Tumors of the hypothalamic-pineal region may present with a wide variety of symptoms, including disturbed eating. We present a case where such a tumor was misdiagnosed as anorexia nervosa.

METHOD

We describe a case of pineal germinoma invading the hypothalamus, which was initially diagnosed as anorexia nervosa.

RESULTS

Clinical features included weight loss, vomiting, pyrexia, hypernatraemia, and visual disturbance and the typical psychopathology of anorexia nervosa was absent.

CONCLUSION

Organic disorder should always be considered before making a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, particularly if the presentation is atypical.