Non-islet cell tumor-induced hypoglycemia in the setting of metastatic intracranial hemangiopericytoma: case report and review of the literature

Br J Neurosurg. 2023 Aug;37(4):829-831. doi: 10.1080/02688697.2019.1671953. Epub 2019 Oct 10.

Abstract

Intracranial hemangiopericytoma, particularly in the setting of extracranial metastatic disease, can cause severe hypoglycemia; but there is limited description of this phenomenon in the neurosurgical literature. We report the case of a male patient with recurrent meningeal hemangiopericytoma that had metastasized to multiple extracranial locations, who presented with severe, symptomatic hypoglycemia and abnormal levels of insulin, pro-insulin, insulin-like growth factors I and II, and C-peptide. This case highlights the association between hemangiopericytoma and abnormal levels of peptide hormones involved in glucose homeostasis, which may serve as a warning sign for hemangiopericytoma and/or metastatic disease.

Keywords: Hemangiopericytoma; hypoglycemia; metastasis.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Hemangiopericytoma* / complications
  • Hemangiopericytoma* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia* / etiology
  • Insulins*
  • Liver Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Male

Substances

  • Insulins