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Myoedema in anorexia nervosa: A useful clinical Sign
Author(s) -
Morgan H. Gethin,
Barry Ralph,
Morgan M. Hilary
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.886
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , eating disorders , anorexia , psychology , denial , sign (mathematics) , psychiatry , medicine , psychotherapist , mathematical analysis , mathematics
When significant weight loss occurs in anorexia nervosa, routine physical examination may reveal the striking phenomenon of myoedema or muscle mounding. This refers to the way in which a localised short‐lasting swelling may be induced in a voluntary muscle as a result of tactile percussion, ideally with a patellar hammer. The present case report describes this finding in a patient with anorexia nervosa and discusses its physiological and clinical significance. It is suggested that as a clinical sign myoedema may be of value in the management of anorexia nervosa by challenging the denial of illness which is so characteristic of it. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.