- (2014) Volume 15, Issue 1
Ahmed Abu-Zaid1, Lama Abdulhamid Alghuneim1, Mona Tarek Metawee1, Raga Osama Elkabbani1, Hadeel Almana2, Tarek Amin3 and Ayman Azzam3,4
1College of Medicine, Alfaisal University; Departments of 2Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
3Surgical Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
4Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University. Alexandria, Egypt
Received September 2nd, 2013 – Accepted October 14th, 2013
Context Insulinoma is an exceedingly uncommon pancreatic islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. Its estimated incidence is approximately four cases per million individuals per year. Case report We report the case of sporadic insulinoma in an exceptionally very young 10-year-old boy who presented with a 1-month history of episodic tremulousness, diaphoresis, increased hunger, confusion and fainting. Initial laboratory investigations showed low blood glucose (64 mg/dL) and high blood insulin (6 μU/mL) levels. Patient was admitted in view of frequent hypoglycemic symptoms and possible pancreatic insulinoma. A 48-hour mentored fasting test was done and ceased within 3 hours due to occurrence of hypoglycemic symptoms. During the episode, blood was drawn and results showed low blood glucose level and high insulin, pro-insulin and C-peptide levels. The hypoglycemic symptoms were relieved greatly by glucose administration and Whipple’s triad for insulinoma was met. An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed a 10x12x17 mm, small, welldemarcated, heterogeneously enhancing lesion within the body of pancreas without dilatation of pancreatic duct. No evidence of lymphadenopathy or distant metastasis was identified. Patient underwent enucleation of pancreatic tumor. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the pancreatic mass confirmed neuroendocrine tumor (insulinoma). Patient had an uneventful recovery. A post-operative 6-month follow-up showed resolution of hypoglycemic symptoms, normalized blood glucose, insulin, pro-insulin and C-peptide levels, and no evidence of recurrence. Conclusion Although rare, sporadic insulinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any young individual presenting with frequent hypoglycemic symptoms (neuroglycopenic and/or autonomic nervous system symptoms). Furthermore, a literature review on insulinoma is presented.
Case reports; Insulinoma; Pancreas
Insulinoma is an exceedingly uncommon pancreatic islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. Its estimated incidence is approximately four cases per million individuals per year [1]. It can occur sporadically (90%) or constitute a part of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) (10%). Sporadic insulinomas tend to largely affect individuals aged between 8 and 82 years of age (median age at presentation is 45-50 years) whereas insulinomas associated with MEN-1 tend to broadly affect individuals at younger ages (median age at presentation is 25 years or less) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Herein, we report the case of sporadic insulinoma in an exceptionally very young 10-year-old boy who presented with a 1-month history of episodic tremulousness, diaphoresis, increased hunger, confusion and fainting. Furthermore, a literature review on insulinoma is presented.
A 10-year-old boy presented to King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) with a 1-month history of tremulousness, diaphoresis, increased hunger, confusion and fainting. These symptoms were episodic in nature, worsened by fasting and exercise, and relieved markedly by food and juice intake. Patient denied any history of visual field defects. Past medical history and past surgical history were unremarkable. Systemic review was remarkable for weight gain (4 kg), events of anxiety, nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness at the time of episodes.
At presentation, patient was vitally and hemodynamically stable. Cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological examinations were normal. Initial laboratory investigations showed low blood glucose (64 mg/dL; reference range: 70-100 mg/dL) and high blood insulin levels (6 μU/mL; reference range: 0-5 μU/mL). Complete blood count, renal, bone, hepatic, coagulation, thyroid, parathyroid and prolactin profiles were normal. In view of frequent hypoglycemic symptoms and possible pancreatic insulinoma, patient was admitted for further workup.
Patient underwent a 48-hour mentored fasting test. However, it was ceased within roughly 3 hours due to occurrence of hypoglycemic symptoms (palpitations, diaphoresis, tremulousness, slurred speech, confusion and drowsiness). During the episode, blood was drawn and laboratory results showed low blood glucose level (41 mg/dL), and high blood insulin (21 μU/mL), pro-insulin (16.3 pmol/L; reference range: 2-6 pmol/L) and Cpeptide (803 pmol/L; reference range: 0-200 pmol/L) levels. Blood screens for sulfonylurea/ meglitinide toxicity and anti-insulin antibodies were negative. The hypoglycemic symptoms were relieved markedly by glucose administration and Whipple’s triad for insulinoma was met.
An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed a 10x12x17 mm, small, well-demarcated, heterogeneously enhancing lesion within the body of pancreas without dilatation of pancreatic duct. No evidence of lymphadenopathy or distant metastasis was identified (Figure 1). Subsequently, patient was scheduled for laparotomy.
Figure 1. Coronal (a.) and transverse (b.) views of abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans: showing a 10x12x17 mm, small, well-demarcated, heterogeneously enhancing lesion within the body of pancreas (white arrow) without dilatation of pancreatic duct. No evidence of lymphadenopathy or distant metastasis was identified.
At laparotomy, a frozen section from pancreatic mass was consistent with neuroendocrine tumor. Next, patient underwent enucleation (local resection) of pancreatic tumor, pancreatic lymph node dissection, celiac lymph node dissection, cholecystectomy and appendectomy. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of lymph node dissections, gallbladder and appendix exhibited no significant pathology and were negative for malignancy.
Macroscopically, the pancreatic mass weighted 23 g and measured 23x16x11 mm. The mass was ovalshaped, well-demarcated, soft and pinkish in color. Cut-surface showed tan soft tissue. Microscopically, the uniform intermediate-sized tumor cells were organized in solid trabeculae or nests separated by fibrovascular stroma (Figure 2). The cells had centrally located oval-shaped nuclei, stippled (saltand- pepper) chromatin and scant finely granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. No evidence of mitosis was identified. Furthermore, there was no evidence of vascular or perineural invasion. Surgical resection margins were tumor-free. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells stained positive for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, insulin and Ki-67 (6%) (Figure 3). Tumor cells stained negative for somatostatin.
Figure 2. Microscopic examination of the resected pancreatic mass showing that the tumor cells were organized in solid trabeculae or nests separated by fibrovascular stroma (magnification power, 20x).
Figure 3. Immunohistochemical examination of the resected pancreatic mass (magnification power, 40x). a. Tumor cells stained positive for chromogranin A. b. Tumor cells stained positive for synaptophysin. c. Tumor cells stained positive for insulin. d. Tumor cells stained positive for Ki-67 (6%).
Based on the clinical, laboratory, imaging, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies, a final diagnosis of benign insulinoma neuroendocrine tumor, World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2, was established.
Patient had an eventful surgery without postoperative hyperglycemia. Due to the benign nature of insulinoma, no post-operative radio- or chemotherapy was offered. Patient was discharged in a stable condition. A post-operative 6-month followup showed resolution of hypoglycemic symptoms, normalized blood glucose (102 mg/dL), insulin (1.9 μU/mL), pro-insulin (2.6 pmol/L) and C-peptide (178 pmol/L) levels, and no evidence of recurrence.
Insulinomas are functional insulin-secreting neuroendocrine tumors. They are derived from the beta cells of pancreas [7]. They secrete endogenous insulin autonomously and independently of the blood glucose levels, resulting in a state of hyperinsulinemia. Diagnosis of insulinoma is primarily made by documenting Whipple’s triad and inappropriately elevated blood insulin levels (greater than 5-10 μU/mL) [8] during the 48-hour mentored fasting test [9]. Whipple’s triad includes: 1) biochemical evidence of hypoglycemia (blood glucose level less than 45 mg/dL); 2) clinical evidence of hypoglycemic symptoms; and 3) reversal of the hypoglycemic symptoms when carbohydrates are administered [10].
The insulinoma-induced hypoglycemic symptoms are induced by hyperinsulinemia (blood insulin levels greater than 5-10 μU/mL) [8], resulting in neuroglycopenic and autonomic nervous system (adrenergic and cholinergic) symptoms [11].
In addition, the following biochemical parameters are needed to confirm diagnosis of insulinomainduced hypoglycemia and include [12]: proinsulin levels of more than 5 pmol/L, C-peptide levels of more than 200 pmol/L, negative blood toxicological studies for oral hypoglycemic agents (sulfonylureas, meglitinides, etc) and negative anti-insulin antibodies.
Almost all insulinomas originate from pancreas (98%) [2, 4, 6]. The vast majority of insulinomas (90%) are benign lesions, less than 2 cm in diameter, and distributed evenly throughout the pancreatic head, body and tail [1]. Alternatively, malignant insulinomas (10%) are likely to be greater than 3 cm in diameter [13]. This is of importance in radiologically localizing insulinomas.
Preoperative imaging localization of insulinomas can be achieved with virtually 100% sensitivity by utilizing the combination of biphasic thin-section helical computed tomography scan and endoscopic ultrasound [14]. Magnetic resonance imaging is often reserved for achieving better sensitivity in identifying hepatic metastases [8]. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy is not helpful in localizing insulinomas as they mostly do not express somatostatin receptors [15].
Histopathologically [16], insulinomas are typical neuroendocrine tumors. Immunohistochemically, insulinomas stain positively for insulin, pro-insulin, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, neuron specific enolase, cytokeratin and Ki-67 (Mib-1) [16]. There are no well-defined histopathological parameters or histochemical markers that surely anticipate the biological behavior of insulinoma, and the definitive diagnosis of malignant insulinoma is solely based on occurrence of distant metastasis and proof of gross local invasion [17].
Surgery is the mainstay of management in insulinoma with an exceedingly high successful cure rate ranging from 77% to 100% [4, 15]. Medical treatment is also available and largely indicated for: 1) preoperative control of blood glucose levels; 2) non-surgical candidates; and 3) patients with unresectable metastatic disease [18]. Diazoxide (50- 600 mg/day) is the most effective medical drug for controlling hypoglycemia (50-60% symptomatic control), and works by directly suppressing insulin production by pancreatic beta cells [19]. Other drugs helpful in controlling hypoglycemia with varying therapeutic degrees of usefulness include: glucocorticoids, phenytoin, verapamil and diltiazem [19].
Given that almost all insulinomas (90%) are benign, solitary and small (less than 2 cm in diameter), tumor enucleation (whenever practically possible) is the surgical intervention of preference [4, 15]. Conversely, pancreatectomy (partial/complete) should be considered in all lesions doubtful for malignancy, involving large segments of pancreas, extensively invading adjacent structures, obstructing main pancreatic duct or invading regional (local) lymph nodes [4].
Malignant forms of insulinoma are rare accounting for nearly 10% of all the cases [13]. The most frequent sites of metastasis in malignant insulinoma include mostly liver and lymph nodes, and occasionally bone and peritoneum, resulting in an unrestrained insulin secretion and subsequent debilitating hypoglycemia [20]. Surgical resection of metastatic lesions should be considered whenever feasible [18] and has been associated with prolonged median survival rates [18].
Patients with benign insulinoma have a very favorable prognosis. They are anticipated to live a normal lifespan after a successful surgical resection [1] which largely yields nearly 77-100% cure rate [4, 15]. Conversely, regardless of the miscellaneous therapeutic modalities for patients with malignant metastatic insulinomas (such as surgical excision, surgical debulking (cytoreduction), chemotherapy (streptozocin plus doxorubicin and/or 5- fluorouracil), hepatic artery embolization, hepatic artery chemoembolization, hepatic artery perfusion/infusion, peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy and others), prognosis is extremely unfortunate [1, 20] with a median survival of roughly 2 years [21].
Sporadic insulinoma is an extremely rare neuroendocrine tumor and mostly presents in individuals ranged between 8 and 82 years of age (median age at presentation is 45-50 years). However, sporadic insulinoma should be highly considered in the differential diagnosis of any young individual presenting with frequent hypoglycemic symptoms (neuroglycopenic and/or autonomic nervous system symptoms).
Authors report no conflicts of interest to disclose
