An unusual presentation of insulinoma and the serious consequences of delayed diagnosis

Abstract

Insulinomas are rare functional neuroendocrine tumours. These tumours present with symptoms of hypoglycaemia, adrenergic and neuroglycopenic symptoms. Insulinomas are usually small in size, making them difficult to locate. Diagnosis is often delayed in these cases resulting in lasting neurological complications, often not reversible after surgical removal of the insulinoma. We report a case of a 33-year-old HIV-positive female with delayed presentation of an insulinoma. She presented with a long history of neurological symptoms with lasting neurological sequelae and poor functional status, during which time the diagnosis of insulinoma was repeatedly missed.