Necrolytic migratory erythema and glucagonoma rising from pancreatic head

Abstract

Glucagonoma syndrome encompasses necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), hyperglucagonemia, diabetes mellitus, anemia, weight loss, glossitis, angular cheilitis, steatorrhea, diarrhea, venous thrombosis, and neuropsychiatric disturbance. Of all the symptoms, NME is a rare skin disorder which is pathognomonic for glucagonoma. We present a 61-year-old woman diagnosed initially as pancreatic head adenocarcinoma with liver metastasis prior to the skin eruption. From the dermatologic finding and other clues, glucagonoma was diagnosed finally.

Keywords: Glucagonoma; Glucagonoma syndrome; Necrolytic migratory erythema; Pancreatic head; Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.