What question did this study set out to answer?

To illustrate the diagnostic role of somatostatin receptor PET/CT in identifying glucagonoma despite normal serum glucagon levels.

April 8, 2026

Somatostatin Receptor PET/CT in a Glucagonoma Presenting With Necrolytic Migratory Erythema and Normoglucagonemia

Key Points

To illustrate the diagnostic role of somatostatin receptor PET/CT in identifying glucagonoma despite normal serum glucagon levels.
Case report of a 49-year-old woman with pruritic skin lesions and weight loss.
Skin biopsy confirmed necrolytic migratory erythema.
Laboratory tests indicated hyperglycemia and normal serum glucagon levels.
Conducted a 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan to locate the tumor.
Surgical resection was performed to confirm diagnosis.
Skin biopsy confirmed necrolytic migratory erythema.
PET/CT scan identified a somatostatin receptor-expressing mass in the pancreas.
Surgical resection confirmed a grade 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.
Emphasized that normal glucagon does not rule out glucagonoma.

Abstract

Glucagonoma is a rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor characterized by necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), diabetes, and weight loss. Diagnosis can be difficult, especially when serum glucagon levels are normal. We report a case of a 49-year-old woman with chronic pruritic skin lesions and significant weight loss. Skin biopsy confirmed NME, while laboratory tests showed hyperglycemia and normal serum glucagon. A 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan revealed a somatostatin receptor-expressing mass in the pancreas. Surgical resection confirmed a grade 2 pancreatic NET consistent with glucagonoma, emphasizing that normal glucagon levels do not rule out glucagonoma and highlighting the utility of SSTR PET/CT in diagnosis.

Somatostatin Receptor PET/CT in a Glucagonoma Presenting With Necrolytic Migratory Erythema and Normoglucagonemia

Key Points

Abstract

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