J A Corless1, J C Delaney, R D Page. 1. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Arrowe Park Hospital, Upton, United Kingdom.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: An eighteen year-old woman with anorexia nervosa was admitted to hospital with acute dyspnea. There was no history of trauma to the chest and the patient denied any vomiting. METHOD: A chest radiograph was taken which showed bilateral pneumothoraces with complete collapse of both lungs. RESULTS: Following insertion of bilateral chest drains the patient made a complete recovery, later having bilateral pleurectomies performed to prevent recurrence. DISCUSSION: We discuss the evidence suggesting that the state of malnutrition that results from anorexia nervosa may in fact predispose patients to the development of pneumothoraces. Copyright 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
UNLABELLED: An eighteen year-old woman with anorexia nervosa was admitted to hospital with acute dyspnea. There was no history of trauma to the chest and the patient denied any vomiting. METHOD: A chest radiograph was taken which showed bilateral pneumothoraces with complete collapse of both lungs. RESULTS: Following insertion of bilateral chest drains the patient made a complete recovery, later having bilateral pleurectomies performed to prevent recurrence. DISCUSSION: We discuss the evidence suggesting that the state of malnutrition that results from anorexia nervosa may in fact predispose patients to the development of pneumothoraces. Copyright 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.