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Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia associated with ectopic Cushing's syndrome due to a pancreatic endocrine tumor in a Type 2 diabetes mellitus patient: Clinical implications of a rare association.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20386090     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The coexistence of insulin and ACTH hypersecretion in the same patient is extremely rare. A diabetic patient with a pancreatic endocrine tumor (PET) co-secreting insulin and ACTH is even rarer and has never been described. The combination of these two endocrine syndromes results in a peculiar clinical picture.
AIM: To determine the cause of glycemic variations in a patient with previously stable diabetes mellitus.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a clinical case report from the Endocrinology Unit of Aosta Hospital and Internal Medicine and Surgical Unit of Verona University. A 69-yr-old diabetic patient was hospitalized for recurrent severe hypoglycemic events persistent after withdrawal of anti-diabetic drugs. The causes of hypoglycemia and subsequent resumption of hyperglycemia were investigated.
RESULTS: An insulin-secreting PET was diagnosed. Diazoxide and octreotide therapy initially was able to control hypoglycemic symptoms, then, a Cushing's syndrome occurred resulting in worsening of diabetes control. ACTH was found to be released by the PET previously diagnosed as an insulin-secreting tumor. The tumor was removed and the histology was consistent with a well differentiated endocrine carcinoma. After surgery, adrenal function was normal and insulin therapy was again necessary to control diabetes.
CONCLUSIONS: A single PET may be responsible for both a hyperinsulinemic and a Cushing's syndrome. When this rare association occurs, each of the two syndromes may affect the other resulting in a peculiar clinical course. Finally, an insulin-secreting PET has to be kept in mind as a rare cause of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients.
Authors:
M Filippella; M V Davì; G Doveri; E Lillaz; A Ciccarelli; E Massimetti; M Toaiari; M Falconi; A Colao; A Faggiano
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-04-12
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of endocrinological investigation     Volume:  34     ISSN:  1720-8386     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Endocrinol. Invest.     Publication Date:  2011 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-05-02     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7806594     Medline TA:  J Endocrinol Invest     Country:  Italy    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  175-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
S.C. Internal Medicine Unit of Diabetology and Endocrinology, "Parini" Hospital, Aosta, Italy.
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