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Gastrinoma presenting as chronic pancreatitis.
J S Hanson1, A R Cohen, A Van Moore
1Department of Medicine, Charlotte Memorial Hospital, North Carolina.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|February 1, 1990
Summary
A rare pancreatic gastrinoma caused recurrent pancreatitis by blocking the main pancreatic duct. This unusual case highlights a gastrinoma presentation without typical peptic ulcer disease symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Gastrinomas, neuroendocrine tumors secreting gastrin, are typically associated with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and peptic ulcer disease.
- Pancreatic gastrinomas are rare, and their presentation can be varied.
Observation:
- A patient presented with recurrent clinical pancreatitis.
- The pancreatitis was caused by a complete obstruction of the main pancreatic duct.
- The patient lacked the classic signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer disease.
Findings:
- The obstruction and recurrent pancreatitis were attributed to a pancreatic gastrinoma.
- This case demonstrates an atypical presentation of a gastrinoma, emphasizing pancreatic duct obstruction as a primary manifestation.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering gastrinomas in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pancreatitis, even in the absence of peptic ulcer disease.
- Suggests that pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors can present with diverse clinical syndromes beyond hormonal hypersecretion effects.
- Underscores the need for thorough investigation of pancreatic lesions causing biliary or ductal obstruction.
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