Use of an extracorporeal glucose monitor for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of an insulinoma

Abstract

Abstract An extracorporeal glucose monitor (EGM) has been used in a patient with an insulinoma. This system, which continuously measures blood glucose, can be used in combination with a feedback-controlled glucose infusion to maintain glycaemia at any preselected level. It prevents the risk of severe hypoglycaemia during diagnostic tests (total fast, tolbutamide and insulin tolerance tests) as well as during surgery. It also helps in determining whether all the insulin-secreting tumour tissue has been removed. The EGM is thus helpful in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of insulinomas.