Percutaneous Trans-hepatic Portal Venous Sampling

Blood samples are taken from several of the main veins draining the different parts of the pancreas (i.e. the head, neck, body and tail) measuring for insulin, C-peptide and pro-insulin. The highest concentrations indicate the veins that drain the part of the pancreas secreting the most insulin (i.e. the likely site of the insulinoma) giving a guide to where the tumour is found. This is 82% sensitive