Insulinoma presenting as alcoholic stupor.
We report a case of prolonged loss of consciousness due to hypoglycaemia following ethanol abuse in a non-diabetic. The patient also reported symptoms compatible with hypoglycaemia following heavy manual work. Further investigations revealed a pancreatic insulinoma, which was successfully removed surgically. The patient remains asymptomatic 18 months later, despite occasional episodes of ethanol abuse. This case illustrates how heavy exercise and/or alcohol abuse can aggravate spontaneous hypoglycaemia.
Dandona
P
P
Department of Chemical Pathology and Human Metabolism, Royal Free Hospital, London.
Fonseca
V A
VA
Mikhailidis
D P
DP
Menon
R K
RK
D007516:Adenoma, Islet Cell / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology*