Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia - a diagnostic challenge. A report of two atypical cases.

Abstract

Objectives: The authors describe 2 atypical cases of patients with hypoglycaemia, suspected for insulinoma. Methods: The 2 reports are accompanied by a concise review of the literature. Results: Patient 1 had a distal pancreatectomy performed for suspected insulinoma, and was diagnosed with a glucagonoma and beta-cell hyperplasia (nesidioblastosis). To the authors’s knowledge, co-existing glucagonoma and nesidioblastosis had not been previously reported. Patient 2 was diagnosed with a benign insulinoma and 5 years later with metastatic disease. Conclusion: The authors conclude that insulinomas are rare entities which often present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In such cases, patient referral to tertiary multidisciplinary centers is recommended.