Hypoglycaemia secondary to pancreatic islet cell adenoma.
The detailed case histories of 5 patients with hypoglycaemic episodes secondary to islet cell adenoma of the pancreas are presented. Clinical recognition of this syndrome remains the major problem but a full and detailed medical history is usually strongly suggestive of the correct diagnosis. The clinical diagnosis is confirmed by the repeated demonstrated that: 1) Symptomatic episodes produced by fasting are in fact due to hypoglycaemia (plasma glucose level less than 2.5 mmol/litre) 2) Such episodes are relieved by glucose administration 3) Concomitant hyperinsulinaemia is present (serum insulin greater than 8 micro-units/ml in the fasting state). Surgical resection of the adenoma produces a complete cure but the identification of the lesion at operation may be difficult and preoperative means of accurate localisation may be needed.
D007516:Adenoma, Islet Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D011384:Proinsulin / Q000097:blood
D011384:Proinsulin