Case report of a pancreatic insulinoma misdiagnosed as epilepsy. Issue 5 (19th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Barbara Anna; Lampart, Simon; Metzger, Jürg; Fischli, Stefan
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 14:Issue 5(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-19
• Subjects: endocrinology -- endocrine cancer -- general surgery -- epilepsy and seizures; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-238238
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : A 55-year-old patient had spent 12 years with unexplained seizures, initially diagnosed as epilepsy and then as a psychiatric disorder. When she was admitted with hypoglycaemia, a fasting test was performed showing blood sugar levels as low as 1 mmol/L with symptoms of neuroglycopenia. Insulinoma was suspected and an MRI showed a large tumour in the tail region of the pancreas. A Dodecanetetraacetic acid-Tyr3-octreotate (DOTATATE) positron emission tomography CT indicated no malignancy and showed no signs of metastasis. The patient underwent surgery, leaving her asymptomatic.