Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces in a young woman with anorexia nervosa

An eighteen year-old woman with anorexia nervosa was admitted to hospital w ith acute dyspnea. There was no history of trauma to the chest and the pati ent denied any vomiting. Method: A chest radiograph was taken which showed bilateral pneumothoraces with complete collapse of both lungs. Results: Fol lowing insertion of bilateral chest drains the patient made a complete reco very, later having bilateral pleurectomies performed to prevent recurrence. Discussion: We discuss the evidence suggesting that the stare of malnutrit ion that results from anorexia nervosa may in fact predispose patients to t he development of pneumothoraces. (C) 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.