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Giant insulinoma in a 15-year-old man: A case report

Vasin Vasikasin1, Jirawat Watthanatham2, Prateep Napatharatip3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Anandamahidol Hospital, Lopburi 15000, Thailand.

International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
|June 4, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a rare giant insulinoma in a young patient. Surgical removal successfully treated the benign tumor, but long-term monitoring is advised.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Giant insulinomas, a rare subtype of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, present unique clinical challenges.
  • This report focuses on an exceptionally rare case of a giant insulinoma in a pediatric patient.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the youngest documented case of a giant insulinoma.
  • To highlight the diagnostic and surgical management of this rare condition.
  • To emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up despite benign pathological findings.

Main Methods:

  • Case presentation of a 15-year-old male with symptomatic hypoglycemia.
  • Diagnostic workup including biochemical tests (insulin, C-peptide) and imaging (CT scan).
  • Surgical management involving en bloc resection with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.

Main Results:

  • A 12.5cm hypervascular pancreatic tail mass was identified.
  • Biochemical analysis confirmed insulinoma with elevated insulin and C-peptide levels.
  • Pathological examination revealed benign insulinoma characteristics post-resection.

Conclusions:

  • This represents the youngest reported case of a giant insulinoma.
  • Surgical resection achieved a complete cure with no recurrence of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
  • Despite benign histology, continued surveillance is crucial for detecting potential future recurrence.
Abstract

Keywords:
Case reportGiant insulinomaInsulinomaPancreatic neuroendocrine tumor

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