title: Gelatinous bone marrow transformation secondary to unusual eating habits and drastic weight loss.
abstract: Gelatinous bone marrow transformation (GMT), also known as starvation bone marrow, has been reported in a number of chronic illnesses, eating disorders (anorexia nervosa) and malignancies. We report the case of a 37-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder and obesity (weighing >300 pounds) who presented due to recently developing a deep yellow colour to his skin. Over the past 2 years, through diet and exercise, he lost over 150 pounds. He reported running 6-8 miles per day and eating 'lots of squash'. We made the diagnosis of starvation hepatitis and bone marrow degeneration, and referred the patient to a dietician and haematologist/oncologist, where improvements were observed at 4 weeks follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ministry Saint Clare's Hospital, Weston, Wisconsin, USA. drrafiullahkhan@yahoo.com
authors.lastname: Rafiullah
authors.forename: Rezwan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.forename: Kajal V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Sitwala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D013217:Starvation / Q000150:complications; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*