Insulinoma associated with pregnancy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report three cases of insulinoma associated with pregnancy.

DESIGN:

Case report.

SETTING:

Divisions of Endocrinology and Gastroenterologic Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

PATIENT(S):

Three patients with hypoglycemic signs due to insulinoma appearing during pregnancy or shortly after delivery.

INTERVENTION(S):

Laparoscopic excision of insulinoma in two and laparotomy in one of the patients were performed after the end of their pregnancies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):

Disappearance of hypoglycemic crises and histologic proof of insulinomas.

RESULT(S):

In two of the three patients, hypoglycemia occurred within 2-12 weeks after delivery, suggesting that signs could have been masked because of metabolic changes during gestation; in the third patient, hypoglycemia appeared in the first trimester but was misinterpreted.

CONCLUSION(S):

Insulinoma is often not suspected during the first trimester of pregnancy because signs resemble episodes of hypotension or emesis. Later, with the increase in insulin resistance, symptoms subside.

• Authors: Adriana G Diaz, Javier Herrera, Mariana López, Félix M Puchulu, Pedro Ferraina, Oscar D Bruno
• Journal: Fertility and sterility (Fertil Steril) Vol. 90 Issue 1 Pg. 199.e1-4 (Jul 2008) ISSN: 1556-5653 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17980876 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Diagnostic Errors
• Female
• Humans
• Hypoglycemia (etiology, surgery)
• Insulinoma (complications, diagnosis, surgery)
• Laparoscopy
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis, surgery)
• Postpartum Period
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic (diagnosis, surgery)
• Pregnancy Trimester, First
• Treatment Outcome