Insulinoma with a History of Epilepsy: Still a Possible Misleading Factor in the Early Diagnosis of Insulinoma

Intern Med. 2017 Dec 1;56(23):3199-3204. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.8932-17. Epub 2017 Oct 11.

Abstract

A delayed diagnosis of insulinoma remains a clinical issue. Hypoglycemic symptoms can mimic neuropsychiatric disorders such as epilepsy. A 27-year-old woman with a history of epilepsy and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) developed repeated seizures and neuropsychiatric symptoms after a 9-year asymptomatic interval. She had received transient treatment with AEDs before the possibility of hypoglycemia was considered. Following a clinical diagnosis of insulinoma, distal pancreatectomy was performed; her seizures didn't occur again. The early diagnosis of insulinoma requires vigilance not only for hypoglycemia in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms but also for the possible masking effects of a history of epilepsy and preceding AED usage.

Keywords: anti-epileptic drug; continuous glucose monitoring; epilepsy; hypoglycemia; insulinoma; misdiagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Delayed Diagnosis*
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Epilepsies, Partial / complications*
  • Epilepsies, Partial / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsies, Partial / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulinoma / diagnosis*
  • Insulinoma / physiopathology
  • Insulinoma / surgery*
  • Pancreatectomy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome