[A clinical analysis of glucagonoma syndrome (four cases reported)]

To study the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of glucagonoma syndrome (GS) for providing clues for the recognition of this disorder in clinical practice.

The clinical and laboratory findings of four confirmed patients with GS were analyzed retrospectively.

All four patients had typical clinical manifestations of necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), elevated glucagon level in serum and hepatic metastasis. The skin rashes disappeared gradually and serum glucagon level decreased after operation and somatostatin treatment.

NME is the most specific clinical finding of GS. Biopsy of the lesions, glucagon level in serum and various radiological examinations should be done in order to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical resection, chemotherapy, and somatostatin are the main therapies of GS.