Insulinoma: a comprehensive summary of two cases

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Pancreatic endocrine tumours are rare and can manifest with diverse, perplexing symptoms.
• Insulinoma, a type of pancreatic endocrine tumour, presents diagnostic challenges due to its varied clinical presentation.

Observation:

• Two cases of pancreatic insulinoma are presented, both initially exhibiting neuropsychiatric complaints.
• Patients were misdiagnosed and treated symptomatically for conditions like depression, anxiety, and seizures for extended periods.

Findings:

• The diagnosis of insulinoma was significantly delayed in both cases due to the unusual presentation.
• Effective diagnosis requires high clinical suspicion, precise biochemical confirmation, and accurate radiological localization.

Implications:

• This case series highlights the diagnostic difficulties posed by pancreatic insulinoma, particularly when presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms.
• Emphasizes the need for increased awareness among clinicians to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate management, potentially avoiding unnecessary extensive surgeries.