Korean J Gastroenterol.  2009 Oct;54(4):257-260. 10.4166/kjg.2009.54.4.257.

Severe Acute Liver and Pancreas Damage in Anorexia Nervosa

• Park JH
• Lee TH
• Cheon SL
• Sun JH
• Choi IK
• Kim YS
• Choi YW
• Kang YW

• KMID: 783233
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2009.54.4.257

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa, a syndrome most commonly affecting young women, is characterized by weight less than 85% of weight that is considered normal for that person's age and height, distorted body image, and fear of becoming obese, and its mortality is up to 9%. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman with a 9-year history of anorexia nervosa. She admitted to our institution with decreased mentality, and her body mass index was 11.5 kg/m2 of the time admission. Initial aminotransferase level was severely elevated, but it was normalized solely with improved nutrition and weight gain. Five and sixteen days after the admission urinary tract infection and elevation of pancreatic enzymes occurred. They were successfully treated with antibiotics and nutritional support. Fifty seven days after the admission, she discharged. We report a case of acute hepatitis and pancreatitis treated with nutritional rehabilitation in a patient with severe anorexia nervosa for the first time in Korea.

Keyword

Anorexia nervosa; Hepatitis; Pancreatitis; Nutrition

MeSH Terms

Acute Disease
Adult
Alanine Transaminase/analysis
Anorexia Nervosa/complications/*diagnosis
Aspartate Aminotransferases/analysis
Body Mass Index
Female
Humans
Lipase/analysis
Liver Diseases/enzymology/*etiology/therapy
Nutrition Therapy
Pancreatic Diseases/enzymology/*etiology/therapy
Weight Gain

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Change of aminotransferase levels according to clinical course. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BMI, body mass index.

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  Fig. 2. Change of lipase and pancreatic amylase levels according to clinical course. BMI, body mass index.

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  Fig. 3. Pancreas dynamic CT images (A, B) contrast-enhanced arterial phase (A) and contrast-enhanced portal phase (B) images showed slightly enlarged pancreas without focal lesion and duct dilatation.

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