Tumores endócrinos del páncreas / Endocrine tumors of the pancreas

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) is a rare familial disorder that affects multiple endocrine organs. it is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with variable penetrance. There are two distinct types of MEN. Dominantly inherited neoplasia are believed to occur from the recessive loss of tumor suppressor gene function. The first mutational event affects the germ cell, is hereditary, and predisposes to neoplasia. Because tumors occur in multiple organs in MEN, the second mutational evento probably occurs in common precursor cells, such as the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation cells (APUD). The gene locus for tupe 1 MEN has been mapped to cromosome 11q. Type 1 organs affected: parathyroids, pancreas and pituitary. The gene locus for type 2 MEN is thought to be located for chromosome 10, (other organs). Fifty to 60 % of patients with type 1 MEN have pancreaticislet cell tumors. Insulinomas are tumors that originate in the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, which compose the APUD system, the meaning of which is: A=Amino, P=Precursor, U=Uptake, D=Decarboxylation. The cells fo the APUD system have common cytochemical characteristics with the ability to secret polypeptides and amines. Symptoms are related to the peptide secreted by the tumor, and some tumors can produce multiple peptides. Gastrinomas comprise about 60 % of type 1 MEN-associated islet cell tumors. Gastric acid hypersecretion results from excess gstrin secretion and causes multiple gastric and duodenal ulcers (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). The author describe an experience with this pathology with special reference to diagnostic methods, treatment, follow-up, laboratory studies and localization of the tumor.

Non insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome in a Saudi male

Nesidioblastosis is focal or diffuse islet hyperplasia leading to hyperinsulinism with subsequent hypoglycemia in the absence of insulinoma, usually described in neonates and infancy. We described the first adult case of nesidioblastosis in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. The diagnosis and treatment of the condition can be very difficult and challenging. Despite the fact that our patient responded initially to surgical treatment, his hypoglycemic symptoms occasionally recurred and needed adjunctive medical treatment. Although initially thought to affect only infants and children, cases of nesidioblastosis can affect adults and pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the clinicians

Pancreatectomía proximal en nesidioblastosis / Proximal pancreatectomy in case of nesidioblastosis

En 1938 Laidiaw acuñó el término de nesidioblastosis refiriéndose a una neodiferenciación de los islotes de Langerhans, originada del epitelio de los conductos pancreáticos. Se presenta un caso clínico de un niño de 19 meses de edad, con convulsiones secundarias a hipoglucemia intratable. Se diagnosticó hiperinsulinismo con base en criterios clínicos y bioquímicos. Los hallazgos histopatológicos del páncreas mostraron la presencia de racimos de islotes de células P por todo el tejido acinar localizados en cabeza y un tercio proximal del cuerpo. Se realizó el diagnóstico de nesidioblastosis y para su tratamiento se practicó pancreatectomía proximal (60%), con una pancreático yeyunostomía distal (Y en Roux). Después del tratamiento, el paciente tuvo normalización de los niveles séricos de glucosa y de insulina. Se concluye que este procedimiento resultó efectivo al revertir la hipoglucemia, por lo que constituye el primer tratamiento alternativo al método convencional.

A 19 month old child who presented seizures secondary to intractable hypoglycemia, fulfilling the clinical and biochemical criteria for hyperinsulinism was studied. Histopathological findings of the pancreas showed the presence of small clusters of b cell islets throughout acinar tissue near ducts, in both the head and the proximal third of the body. Proximal pancreatectomy (60%) and distal pancreatic jejunostomy (Roux in Y) were performed. This procedure was effective in reverting hypoglycemia and constitutes the first successful alternative treatment.