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Insulinoma-a case report

Duryodhan Sahoo1

  • 1Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, SCB Medical College, Cuttack 753007.

Journal of the Indian Medical Association
|October 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

A benign insulinoma, a rare pancreatic tumor, caused intermittent fainting and weight gain in a 40-year-old male. Despite successful surgery, the patient likely died from pulmonary embolism.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas that secrete excess insulin.
  • These tumors can lead to hypoglycemia, causing symptoms like fainting and weight gain.

Observation:

  • A 40-year-old male presented with recurrent fainting spells and a 2-year history of weight gain.
  • His lab results showed fasting hypoglycemia (50 mg/dl) and an insulin-to-glucose ratio of 0.6.
  • Abdominal CT revealed a solitary pancreatic body tumor.

Findings:

  • Surgical exploration confirmed a solitary tumor in the pancreatic body.
  • Microscopic examination identified the tumor as a benign insulinoma.
  • The postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Implications:

  • Benign insulinomas require prompt diagnosis and surgical management to prevent hypoglycemic episodes.
  • While surgical outcomes are generally favorable, potential complications like pulmonary embolism must be considered.
  • This case highlights the importance of investigating unexplained hypoglycemia with imaging and biochemical tests.

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