GI Diseases

Question 0

What causes Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?

Answer 0

Gastrinoma: a gastric acid secreting tumor

Question 1

Memory: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Answer 1

Fatty gastric tumor

Question 2

What are the 4 signs or symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?

Answer 2

1. Increased H+ secretion
2. Hypertrophy of the gastric mucosa
3. Duodenal ulcers (caused by unrelenting acid secretion)
4. Steatorrhea: fat in stool (caused by inactivation of pancreatic lipase, another effect of increased acidity)

Question 3

Why do patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome present with steatorrhea (fatty stool)?

Answer 3

Increased acid secretion causes the inactivation of pancreatic lipase, the enzyme responsible for fat digestion. Thus, dietary fats are not digested or absorbed.

Question 4

What are the 4 ways to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?

Answer 4

1. Block the response to gastric by blocking the H2 receptor (cimetidine)
2. Prevent H+ buildup by blocking the H+ pump (omeprazole)
3. Remove the tumor
4. Gastric resection, which removes gastrin’s target tissue