Hypoglycemic Encephalopathy as the Initial Presentation of Hepatic Tumor

Abstract

Hypoglycemia is a frequently encountered cause of altered mental status in clinical practice. To report a rare case with hypoglycemia-induced coma as the sole and initial clinical manifestation of a hepatic tumor. A previously healthy 32-year-old man presenting with acute change in consciousness was found to have hepatoma related hypoglycemia. This case highlights the importance of a hepatic evaluation in, otherwise, unexplained hypoglycemic coma in high prevalence areas of hepatocellular carcinoma such as the Asian-Pacific region.