Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of functioning pancreatic insulinoma: video case report

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2012 Oct;22(5):e312-5. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0b013e318264b607.

Abstract

Insulinomas are the most common functioning endocrine tumors of the pancreas. Most of them are well-differentiated tumors, with benign or uncertain behavior at the time of diagnosis. Surgery is considered to be the only curative treatment modality. We present the first case report of a 75-year-old woman with functioning insulinoma of the pancreatic body, which was destroyed by laparoscopic-assisted radiofrequency ablation. Hypoglycemic paroxysms disappeared immediately after surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the eighth postoperative day. There was a new onset of diabetes mellitus, without any further hypoglycemic paroxysm from surgery to the present-4 months. Laparoscopic-assisted radiofrequency ablation is shown to be a feasible and safe method for the treatment of functioning pancreatic insulinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Catheter Ablation / methods*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulinoma / diagnosis
  • Insulinoma / surgery*
  • Laparoscopy / methods*
  • Pancreatectomy / methods*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed