Computed tomographic abnormalities of the pancreas in eating disorders: A report of two cases with normal laparotomy

We report two patients with abdominal pain and weight loss who underwent laparotomy on the basis of computed tomographic abnormalities of the pancreas suggestive of neoplastic disease. The operations failed to reveal any gross or microscopic pathology in both instances, including one in whom a partial resection was performed. An eating disorder was belatedly diagnosed in each case. Because radiological abnormalities of the pancreas are not uncommon in patients with eating disorders, we suggest that this diagnosis be entertained before any interventional procedures are undertaken on a patient with a potential eating disorder having abnormal densities on pancreatic imaging.