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Gastroenterology Research

Case Report

Volume 9, Number 6, December 2016, pages 103-104

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A Rare Case of Chronic Diarrhea

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is caused by ectopic secretion of gastrin resulting in damage to gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. ZES may be sporadic or occur in association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). ZES is very rare and annual incidence is 0.5 - 2 per million population [1]. ZES is usually diagnosed in fifth decade of life. In one-third of patients with gastrinoma, metastatic disease is evident at the time of diagnosis [2]. Diarrhea and abdominal pain are the most common presenting symptoms of ZES [3]. We report a case of ZES presenting with chronic diarrhea.

A 57-year-old female presented with watery diarrhea for 10 months. She lost 70 pounds in this time period. On physical examination, she appeared cachectic. Abdomen was mildly distended with mild generalized tenderness. Laboratory analysis showed hemoglobin 11.5 g/dL, total protein 5.2 g/dL and albumin 2.5 g/dL. Stool culture, ova, parasites and Clostridium difficile were negative. Fecal fat analysis revealed normal fat quantity. CT abdomen and PET scan showed multiple liver masses (Fig. 1A). Liver biopsy suggested metastatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. Serum gastrin level was significantly elevated 9,100 pg/mL (normal < 100 pg/mL). Serum vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels were normal. Serum chromogranin level was elevated. MRI abdomen, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and endoscopic ultrasound failed to reveal primary site of neuroendocrine tumor. Colonoscopy was normal. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed prominent gastric folds and multiple duodenal ulcers (Fig. 1B) consistent with ZES. Patient was started on high-dose omeprazole and octreotide. Diarrhea improved and serum gastrin level normalized within 4 weeks.

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Figure 1. (A) PET scan showing liver metastases. (B) Upper GI endoscopy showing multiple duodenal ulcers.

ZES is a clinical syndrome caused by hypersecretion of gastrin by a gastrinoma. Gastrinomas are located in the duodenum (60-80%) or pancreas (10-40%) [4]. Most of gastrinomas (80%) are sporadic but 20-30% occur in association with MEN1. Although gastrinomas are one of the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), only 30% arise in pancreas [5]. Abdominal pain (75%) and diarrhea (73%) are the most common clinical features of ZES. Diarrhea is caused by gastric acid hypersecretion and decreased absorption of sodium and water due to hypergastrinemia. Patients can also have heartburn (44%) and weight loss (17%). GI bleeding can be initial presentation in 25% of the patients. Renal stones are more common in patients with MEN1 compared to sporadic cases [6].

ZES should be considered in patients with diarrhea and peptic ulcer disease. Patients diagnosed with ZES should also be evaluated for MEN1. Fasting serum gastrin levels more than 10 times the upper limit of normal (> 1,000 pg/mL) in the presence of low gastric pH (< 2) is diagnostic of ZES. Secondary hypergastrinemia can be seen in atrophic gastritis, renal failure and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use [7]. More than 90% of the patients with ZES have peptic ulcers and hyperplastic gastric folds [3]. Once diagnosis of ZES is established, gastrinoma can be identified with a CT, MRI or somatostatin receptor scintigraphy [8].

Medical therapy with high-dose PPIs is the standard of care for ZES patients with MEN1 syndrome. Patients with ZES should be started on high-dose PPIs (omeprazole 60 mg or pantoprazole 120 mg daily). PPIs effectively control the symptoms in most of the patients with ZES. If symptoms persist despite of PPI use, somatostatin analogues should be used [9]. Patients with a sporadic gastrinoma and without evidence of metastases can be treated with surgery. Hepatic resection is indicated for patients with focal hepatic metastases. Hepatic artery embolization can be performed to control symptoms in patients with diffuse liver metastases [10].

Funding Sources

None.

Competing Interests

None.

Author Contributions

All authors have directly participated in the execution in a manner substantial enough to take responsibility for it.

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