Distal hypoglycemic neuropathy. An insulinoma-associated case, misdiagnosed as temporal lobe epilepsy

Neurophysiol Clin. 2003 Nov;33(5):223-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neucli.2003.08.001.

Abstract

Peripheral distal neuropathy associated with hypoglycemia secondary to insulinoma is quite rare. So far, less than 40 cases have been reported in literature. In this report, we describe a 50-year-old patient with insulinoma-polineuropathy and neuropsychiatric symptoms, interpreted as temporal lobe epilepsy, over the preceding 7 years. Due to the variability of the clinical presentation, diagnostic mistakes are frequent, and diagnosis of insulinoma is often delayed. Thus, the hypoglycemic nature of neuropathy can be lately recognized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / diagnosis*
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Insulinoma / complications
  • Insulinoma / diagnosis*
  • Insulinoma / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Blood Glucose