Computed tomographic findings in a case of feline insulinoma

• Published in: Veterinary record case reports Vol. 8; no. 2
• Main Authors: Shorten, Eimear, Swallow, Adam, McCallum, Katie Elizabeth, Holzhausen, Cornelia, Hughes, Katherine, Genain, Marie-Aude
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Veterinary Association 01.06.2020; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Case reports; Cats; computed tomography (CT); diagnostic imaging; Hypoglycemia; Laboratories; Lymphatic system; Mesentery; Metastasis; Neuroendocrine tumors; oncology; Pancreas; Surgeons; Surgery; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; United Kingdom > UK
• DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2019-001054
• ISSN: 2052-6121

Insulinomas are functional insulin-secreting tumours of the beta cells of the pancreatic islets which are rare in cats. Clinical signs are a result of hypoglycaemia and include seizures, collapse, weakness, ataxia, disorientation, mental dullness and visual disturbances. An 11-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented with a history of having a single abnormal neurological episode. Persistent hypoglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and the presence of a well-defined pancreatic nodule on abdominal ultrasound resulted in a suspected diagnosis of insulinoma. Multiphasic CT angiography revealed a well-defined, homogeneous pancreatic mass which was isoattenuating to pancreatic parenchyma on precontrast images, had marked contrast enhancement in the arterial phase and moderate enhancement in the venous phase. CT angiography was a useful imaging modality for evaluating this case of histologically confirmed malignant insulinoma and its associated metastases.