PICA
see Posterior inferior cerebellar artery.
Pica refers to the persistent ingestion of nonnutritive substances in discordance with development or cultural practices according to the DSM-5 1).
Pica is most often reported in the presence of iron deficiency or gastrointestinal disturbance. The mechanism that underlies the behavior is poorly understood. Lesions to the anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) can present in many ways, with signs and symptoms including motor and sensory changes, autonomic dysfunction, seizures, and behavioral alterations.
To date, no reports of pica, or eating disturbances, have been tied to anterior cingulate cortex lesions. In a article, we describe the case of an 8-year-old boy presenting with pica consumption of paper who was shown to have a mass in the left ACG. After surgical resection of the lesion, all of the patient’s symptoms resolved and he returned to his normal life 2).