Acute gastric dilatation in a patient with severe anorexia nervosa: a case report

BACKGROUND: Acute gastric dilatation (AGD) leading to gastric necrosis and perforation has been reported to be a rare but fatal complication in young patients with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a Canadian female patient presenting with mild abdominal pain, with a history of anorexia nervosa, the binge/purge subtype, who was found to have severe acute gastric dilatation on subsequent computed tomography imaging. Her clinical course was uncomplicated after gastric decompression. The cause of her AGD was thought to be secondary to dysmotility disorder caused by her anorexia nervosa. CONCLUSION: Our case report demonstrates the importance of clinical identification of AGD and subsequent diagnosis and management. Because of the urgency to rule out obstruction or perforation through consultation or additional imaging modalities, recognition and correct diagnosis of this condition is necessary for appropriate patient management. In addition, our case report adds to an underreported but important complication of anorexia nervosa.