Fourth ventricular tumors and Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Report of a case, initially diagnosed as Anorexia Nervosa (AN) but later on revealing a fourth Ventricular Tumor is presented. Relevant literature is surveyed while drawing attention to the unusual location of the tumor, instead of hypothalamic area as customarily reported. Several years of duration between initial appearance of clinical signs and symptoms and discovery of the tumor require emphasizing the need to keep the diagnosis tentative and not to hesitate in following up any clues pointing to a probable organic base.

Pearls & Oy-sters: Anorexia and emaciation in patients with cerebellar hemangioblastoma

“…We carefully excluded the patients with hydrocephalus-related symptoms. We also reviewed the English literature and found 7 cases of brain tumors of the posterior fossa with symptoms that mimicked anorexia nervosa [2][3][4][5][6][7] (table e-1 on the Neurology ® Web site at www.neurology.org). Four of the 7 cases were hemangioblastomas, and 6 of the 7 tumors were located in the fourth ventricle, suggesting a strong correlation between tumor location and the etiology of anorexia.…”