Amelioration of Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Malignant Insulinoma During the Development of the Ectopic ACTH Syndrome

A patient with functioning islet cell carcinoma is described who had amelioration of her hypoglycemia during the development of the ectopic ACTH syndrome. Moon facies and hyperkalemic metabolic acidosis were also present in this patient, features uncommonly seen in the ectopic ACTH syndrome. At autopsy, she was found to have active tuberculosis. Prophylactic antituberculous therapy should be given to high-risk patients with the ectopic ACTH syndrome. High doses of ACTH may be palliative in refractory hypoglycemic states.