Ethanol Ablation in an 81-Year-Old Patient with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (Islet Cell Tumor) and Severe Hypoglycemia – A Case Study.

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Introduction: The key clinical problem in patients with islet cell tumors are persistent hypoglycemia episodes, which are particularly dangerous in the elderly since neuroglycopenia may be the cause of stroke.

Aim(s): Assessment of ethanol administration to a pancreatic tumor during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and its effect on hypoglycemia and the levels of insulin and c-peptide.

Materials and methods: The procedure was performed in an 81-year-old female patient with an islet cell tumor diagnosed in 1998. In 1999, the patient underwent partial pancreatectomy, but hypoglycemia persisted. CT scan failed to show any focal lesion in the pancreas. In 2008, a lesion with a diameter of 1.2 cm was detected in the head of the pancreas. Due to the patient’s age and her refusal to undergo surgery, EUS with ethanol ablation was offered as an alternative. During EUS, 4 ml of ethanol were administered with a biopsy probe to the tumor located in the head of the pancreas; the tumor diameter was 1.2 cm.

Conference: 10th Annual ENETSConcerence (2013)

Presenting Author:

Authors: Andrysiak-Mamos E, Starzyńska T, Białek A, Sowińska-Przepiera E, Kazmierczyk-Puchalska A,

Keywords: ethanol ablation, neuroendocrine tumor, islet cell tumor,