Abstract

Abstract Hypoglycemia can occur in non-diabetic individuals. Doege-Potter is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome presented as a hypoinsulinemic hypoglycemia caused by ectopic secretion of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) from a solitary fibrous tumor. There is recent evidence of the involvement of the IGF system in different malignancies as papillary thyroid carcinoma, being exceptional. A 69-year-old female was brought to Emergency after a routine analysis uncovered severe hypoglycemia. She mentioned a history of morning sickness, dizziness, and confusion for the last week that reverted after breakfast, and dry cough for three months. She had a 25-pack-year history of smoking, no history of alcohol use, no other antecedent of interest, no history ofdiabetes mellitus or weight loss surgery, nor chronic treatments. Physical examinations revealed diminished breath sounds in the left middle lung. A thorax radiography showed a submassive left pleural effusion and toracocentesis revealed a hemorrhagic exudate. Laboratory data showed normal GH, and cortisol levels. Despite marked hypoglycemia, insulin level was 0.4 μIU/mL (2,6-24,9), C-peptide 0.11ng/ml (1,1-4,4) and hydroxy butyrate <0.1 mg/dl. The serum IGF-2 level was 428μg/dL (350-1000), and the IGF-1 level was 55.4 μg/L(161-384). Anti-insulin antibodies and sulfonylureas concentration were negative. CT showed a solid mass concerning parietal pleura with areas of necrosis and calcifications, measuring 14.6×15.4×20cm. Low blood glucose with suppressed insulin, C-peptide and IGF-1 levels, elevated IGF-2/IGF-1 ratio (7,7, normal<3) and CT findings suggested the possibility of non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH). Corticoid treatment was initiated to manage the hypoglycemia. Biopsy of the mass showed a malignant solitary fibrous tumor, positive for CD34 and BCL2. After surgery, glucose and IGF-2 levels returned to normal, the patient didn't experience further episodes of hypoglycemia, and corticoid treatment was gradually suspended. A FDG-PET scan, part of extension study, found a PET-positive thyroid nodule. A thyroid ultrasound confirmed a solid, taller than wide thyroid nodule, measuring 6.7×6.4×9,5mm and fine-needle aspiration biopsy was suggestive of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Hemithyroidectomy was performed. The patient is with no evidence of disease. Doege-Potter syndrome is a rare cause of hypoglycemia, resulting from a tumor producing elevated levels of IGF-2. Diagnosis is suggested by low insulin, C-peptide and IGF-1 levels, normal or elevated IGF-2, and elevated IGF2/IGF1 ratio. High levels of ''big-IGF-2'' are associated with high risk papillary thyroid carcinoma, suggesting the relation between the IGF-system and tumor growth, nevertheless there are few cases reported describing this association. Surgical resection of the tumor is the treatment of choice. Presentation: No date and time listed

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