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.