Apparent Brain Atrophy in Anorexia Nervosa: Diagnostic Insights from Cross-Sectional Brain CT Imaging
Apparent Brain Atrophy in Anorexia Nervosa Introduction Apparent brain atrophy, or pseudoatrophy , is a significant yet underrecognized phenomenon in adolescent neuroimaging, particularly among patients with severe weight loss, such as those with anorexia nervosa (AN) . Characterized by an apparent reduction in brain volume without actual neuronal loss, pseudoatrophy mimics irreversible cortical atrophy, leading to potential diagnostic dilemmas. This column examines a representative brain CT scan from a 14-year-old girl with suspected AN-induced pseudoatrophy and discusses key differentiating features, clinical implications, and the potential for reversibility. Case Overview and Imaging Findings A 14-year-old female patient underwent a cross-sectional brain CT revealing: Prominent cerebral sulci bilaterally Dilated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces Apparent brain volume reduction is inconsistent with her age No evidence of traumatic or degenerative lesions Th...