Pancreatic insulin-secreting carcinoma in a dog: fructosamine for determining persistent hypoglycaemia

J Small Anim Pract. 1995 Jun;36(6):282-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1995.tb02921.x.

Abstract

A five-year-old intact male rottweiler was presented with a history of episodic weakness and mild-generalised seizures. A tentative diagnosis of an insulin-secreting tumour in the pancreas was made based on fasting hypoglycaemia with concomitant hyperinsulinaemia and a subnormal fructosamine value. The diagnosis was confirmed by exploratory coeliotomy, intravenous infusion of methylene blue, histopathology and immuno-histochemical analysis of suspected neoplastic tissue. Fructosamine assays are traditionally used for monitoring the metabolic status of diabetics where a single elevated measurement reflects persistent hyperglycaemia. This report suggests that a single low measurement of fructosamine may indicate persistent hypoglycaemia and may be helpful, in conjunction with an insulin measurement, in the diagnosis of insulin-secreting tumours.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma / metabolism
  • Carcinoma / physiopathology
  • Carcinoma / surgery
  • Carcinoma / veterinary*
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / physiopathology
  • Dog Diseases / surgery
  • Dogs
  • Fructosamine
  • Hexosamines / metabolism*
  • Hypoglycemia / diagnosis
  • Hypoglycemia / veterinary*
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Postoperative Care / veterinary
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hexosamines
  • Insulin
  • Fructosamine