Pancreatic somatostatinoma manifested as severe hypoglycemia

J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2009 Jun;18(2):221-4.

Abstract

Somatostatinoma is a rare somatostatin-producing endocrine tumor, probably malignant. Due to its nonspecific symptoms such as vague abdominal pain, weight loss, or occult clinical features, misdiagnosis occurs. We report a case of pancreatic somatostatinoma with severe hypoglycemia. The patient had experienced severe hypoglycemic attacks for 11 months periodically. Contrast computed tomography scan revealed an isodensity mass about 2 cm in the head of the pancreas. Ultimately, a local excision was carried out as the tumor was located exactly on the surface of the pancreas. Somatostatinoma was established after immunohistochemical technique. The patient led a normal life without any complaint at 1 year follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Digestive System Surgical Procedures
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / blood
  • Hypoglycemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology*
  • Hypoglycemia / surgery
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Insulin / blood
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Somatostatinoma / blood
  • Somatostatinoma / complications*
  • Somatostatinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Somatostatinoma / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin