What's New

Endocrine Expertise at the Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgical Program and
the New York Thyroid Center

At NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, a longstanding clinic has evolved into what is now the renowned New York Thyroid Center. The center was originally established at Columbia over 15 years ago by the late thyroid and parathyroid surgeon Paul LoGerfo, MD. Today, the surgical staff of the center have developed many approaches that minimize or eliminate the need for surgical treatment of endocrine disorders.

Insulinomas:
Creative Adaptation Enables One Patient to Avoid Major Pancreatic Resection

William B. Inabnet, MD, Chief, Section of Endocrine Surgery

Insulinomas are rare tumors of the pancreas that produce too much insulin. Usually less than two centimeters in size, insulinomas are benign (noncancerous) in 90% of cases. Without treatment, however, the extra insulin causes patients' blood sugar to drop, and can cause symptoms such as weakness, tremors, anxiety, hunger, headache, and in severe cases, coma or even death. In a recent case, William B. Inabnet, MD, Chief, Section of Endocrine Surgery, was able to spare a patient from having to undergo major surgery by devising a completely novel solution.