1994 Volume 44 Pages 147-150
A 53-year-old male with recurrent skin eruption for about 3 years admitted to our hospital because of the pancreatic tumor found by CT.
Laboratory findings indicated hypoproteinemia (total protein 5.7g/dl) and anemia (hemoglobin 10.0g/dl) . The oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) showed diabetic pattern. Serum glucagon levels were high. The cystic dilatation of the first branch of pancreatic duct was found by endoscopic retrograde pancreaticography. Arteriography showed a hypervascular tumor in the tail of the pancreas.
Tumorectomy was done because tumor was easily separated from its surroundings. Histopathologically, it was an islet cell tumor and encapsuled by thin fibrous layer. These proliferative cells were positive for glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide. Neither mitotic figure nor vascular invasion was found. After the operation, his glucagon level and GTT became normal, and eruption (so called necrolytic migratory erythema) was cured.
We found 67 cases of glucagonoma in Japanese literature. Out of these 68 cases including our cases, only 24 cases are accompanied with diabetes mellitus and erythema. Therefore we think this case is rare one.
