[Pancreatic beta-cell hyperplasia in adults. A clinical case]

Minerva Endocrinol. 1996 Jun;21(2):73-8.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

The author describe a rare case of pancreatic beta-cell hyperplasia. The patient was referred to us because of serious hypoglycemic crises. During hospitalization, endogenous hyperinsulinism was confirmed by hematochemical and instrumental tests. AngioCT of the pancreas evidenced a small lesion of the corpus, suspected of insulinoma. The patient underwent a corpus caudalis pancreatectomy: a small nodule with histologic neuroendocrine traits was ablated. A few days after the operation, new symptomatic hypoglycemia appeared. The hormonal tests confirmed a recurrence of endogenous hyperinsulinism. The patient underwent a new operation for pancreaticoduodenectomy: histological examination confirmed a pancreatic beta-cells hyperplasia. This condition has to be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of post prandial hypoglycemia. Besides, the observation of an insulinoma doesn't exclude the presence of a diffused disorder of islet cells as in the case above described.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • C-Peptide / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperinsulinism / etiology*
  • Hyperinsulinism / surgery
  • Hyperplasia
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology*
  • Hypoglycemia / surgery
  • Insulinoma / diagnosis
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology*
  • Islets of Langerhans / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatectomy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Substances

  • C-Peptide