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

Objective: Tumors of the hypothalamicpineal 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. (c) 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc