Encyclopedia of Cancer

2011 Edition
| Editors: Manfred Schwab

Whipple Triad

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_6242

Definition

Is the diagnostic hallmark of  insulinoma; which consists in symptoms of hypoglycemia (catecholamine release), low blood glucose level (40–50 mg/dL), and relief of symptoms after intravenous administration of glucose. The triad is not entirely diagnostic, because it may be emulated by factitious administration of hypoglycemic agents, by rare soft tissue tumors, or occasionally by reactive hypoglycemia. The clinical syndrome of hyperinsulinism may follow one of two patterns or sometimes a combination of both.

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© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011