Stereotactic surgery on a female patient with severe chronic anorexia nervosa: 10-year follow-up.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious disease with a high rate of chronification. In chronic and serious cases, psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments are not sufficient to control the disease. CASE REPORT We present the case of a female patient with severe chronic restrictive anorexia nervosa resistant to psychomedical treatment. During the 31 years the illness evolved, the patient required multiple hospital admissions. With a body mass index (BMI) of 12.8 kg/m2 and consequent risk of death, stereotactic cingulotomy was performed comprising bilateral blocking of the anterior cingulate cortex by stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation, confirmed by tractography 5 years later. After 10 years of follow-up, the patient is clinically stable with an increased BMI and improved neuropsychological indicators. DISCUSSION: Stereotactic surgery may be an option for patients with chronic anorexia nervosa where conventional treatments have proved insufficient.