Reversal of Severe Serous Atrophy of the Bone Marrow in Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

The patient described in this case report had anorexia nervosa, which ultimately was fatal. She presented with complete serous atrophy of the bone marrow associated with pancytopenia. After 2 weeks of intensive nutritional support, her peripheral blood counts had returned to normal. At autopsy on day 24, the serous atrophy had resolved and the bone marrow was populated by normal numbers of hematopoietic precursors. This case is unique in demonstrating that starvation-induced severe serous atrophy of the bone marrow is reversible with nutritional intervention.