Recent advances in the management of gastric acid hypersecretion in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Several histamine H2 receptor antagonists and the H+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, omeprazole, have been shown to be capable of controlling gastric acid secretion safely and effectively in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The relative merits of these agents are discussed, and their use in the acute and long-term control of acid hypersecretion and in special circumstances that require particular care are described. The surgical approaches to the control of acid secretion are described, and the current place of surgery in the management of acid hypersecretion is discussed.     

Advances in evaluation and management of gastrinoma in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Gastrinomas producing Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are the most frequent symptomatic, malignant pancreatic endocrine tumor syndrome. Recently, a number of important studies have examined their molecular pathogenesis and natural history and provided important guidelines for their treatment. Each of these areas is briefly reviewed in this article.     

Recent advances in hepatorenal syndrome.

Hepatorenal syndrome is a common complication of advanced cirrhosis, characterized by renal failure and major disturbances in circulatory function. Renal failure is caused by intense vasoconstriction of the renal circulation. The syndrome is probably the final consequence of extreme underfilling of the arterial circulation secondary to arterial vasodilatation in the splanchninc vascular bed. The diagnosis of HRS is currently based on the exclusion of other causes of renal failure. The prognosis is very poor, particularly when there is rapidly progressive renal failure (type 1). Liver transplantation is the best option in patients without contraindications to the procedure, but it is not always possible owing to the short survival expectancy. Therapies introduced during the past few years, such a vasoconstrictor drugs (vasopressin analogues, mu-adrenergic agonist) or the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, are effective in improving renal function. Nevertheless, liver transplantation should still be done in suitable patients even after improvement of renal function because the outcome of HRS is poor.     

Effects of curative gastrinoma resection on gastric secretory function and antisecretory drug requirement in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

The chronic hypergastrinemia in diseases such as the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome has trophic effects on the gastric mucosa, causing increased parietal cell mass reflected by increased maximal acid output (MAO) and basal acid output (BAO). The time course for the development of these gastric changes in humans is unknown, and controversy exists regarding whether reversal of the hypergastrinemia results in rapid normalization of gastric secretory function. To address these uncertainties, gastric secretory function was prospectively evaluated in 20 patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome undergoing successful curative resection of gastrinoma. Each patient had gastric acid measurements, imaging studies, fasting serum gastrin and secretin provocative testing preoperatively, postoperatively at 3-6 months, and yearly thereafter. Preoperative mean BAO was 39 mEq/h, MAO 56 mEq/h, BAO-MAO ratio 0.73, and fasting gastrin output 1020 pg/mL. All patients were evaluated at 6 months, 17 at 1 year, 15 at 2 years, 13 at 3 years, and 9 at 4 years. By 3-6 months, MAO decreased by 50% in men (mean, 30 mEq/h) and by 35% in women (mean, 29 mEq/h) and then remained relatively unchanged for up to 4 years. Before surgery, 14 of 20 patients (70%) had an elevated MAO, whereas 4 years after resection, none of 9 patients had elevated levels. By 3-6 months, BAO decreased by 75% and remained unchanged for up to 4 years. At 3-6 months, 56% of patients were mild hypersecretors and 67% remained hypersecretors up to 4 years. Preoperatively, the BAO-MAO ratio was elevated in 16 of 20 patients (80%); postoperatively, only 5 of 18 patients (28%) at 3-6 months, 2 of 15 (13%) at 1 year, and 2 of 10 (20%) at 4 years continued to have elevated ratios. Preoperatively, the mean ranitidine dose was 1597 mg/day, whereas after surgery the mean dose was 535 mg/day at 3-6 months and approximately 300 mg/day at 1-4 years with 8 patients requiring no antisecretory drug. These results show that the trophic effects of chronic hypergastrinemia are, in general, rapidly reversible with a 50% decrease in MAO within 3-6 months of cure. Similarly, BAO decreased by 75% within 3-6 months. Despite these decreases, careful monitoring of acid secretion is required after reversal of the chronic hypergastrinemia in diseases such as the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, because 55% of patients at 3-6 months and up to 67% at 4 years continue to remain mild hypersecretors and require low doses of antisecretory drugs.     

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Cure by surgical resection of a jejunal gastrinoma containing growth hormone releasing factor

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome developed in a 46-yr-old woman due to a gastrinoma originating in the proximal jejunum. Resection of the tumor and adjacent lymph nodes containing metastatic carcinoma resulted in prompt reversal of all clinical and biochemical abnormalities, and she remains well 42 mo after surgery. To our knowledge, this patient is one of the first well-documented cases of primary jejunal gastrinoma causing the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The tumor contained numerous cells positive for gastrin and smaller numbers positive for serotonin, somatostatin, or bovine pancreatic polypeptide, as diagnosed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, a small subset of tumor cells was positive for growth hormone releasing factor. Our case is the first to document the presence of this neuropeptide in an enteric gastrinoma.     

Recent advances in the management of Crohn's disease.

In the last 10 years many advances have been achieved in the treatment of patients with Crohn's disease, particularly in the field of biological agents. Infliximab, a tumour necrosis factor alpha antagonist, has been recently added to the therapeutic armamentarium for Crohn's disease and has greatly improved our treatment options. Infliximab has demonstrated efficacy in the induction and maintenance of remission in luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease both in adults and children. However, the potential development of autoantibodies and the risk of serious adverse events limit the possibility of a wider use of infliximab. Searching for less immunogenicity and higher effectiveness in the last years a number of biological agents have been developed. Adalimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody anti tumour necrosis factor alpha, has resulted effective and safe in patients with Crohn's disease, both naive and refractory to infliximab, presenting also the advantage of subcutaneous way of administration. Natalizumab also showed promising results in terms of efficacy but its safety is still under investigation. To date no particular advances have been recently appeared in the literature concerning conventional immunosuppressive drugs. Surgery remains a valid resort for refractory patients. Autologous stem cell transplantation represents a new hope as rescue treatment for patients with severe refractory Crohn's disease.     

Diagnosis and management of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

With the recent widespread availability of gastrin radioimmunoassays, the development of increasingly effective medical therapy for gastric hypersecretion, and improved methods to localize gastrinomas in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, the diagnosis, treatment of the gastric acid hypersecretion, and approach to the tumor have changed significantly. Recent advances in each of these areas and the current management of a patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are reviewed.     

Recent advances in the management of adrenal incidentalomas.

Modern imaging techniques have made adrenal incidentaloma a relatively common diagnostic problem. When an incidental adrenal mass is found, the clinician must try to determine its etiology and functionality, and the likelihood of malignancy. This task is complicated further in patients with a history of extra-adrenal malignancy. In this article, we present a review of the literature and propose a diagnostic algorithm for management of adrenal incidentalomas.     

The gastrinoma/Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: Statistical evaluation of a Japanese series of 359 cases

The diagnostic modalities and management of gastrinoma/Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) have been markedly modified and improved over the past 15 years. To evaluate the present status of this disease, in terms of various clinicopathologic features, we collected 359 Japanese cases of gastrinoma/ZES from the literature. We found a decreasing incidence (from 74.7% in 1965—1980 to 34.2% in 1981—1995) of multiple surgeries and a decreasing rate (from 94.3% in 1965—1980 to 83.5% in 1981—1995) of ZES associated with gastrinoma. There was an increasing rate (from 12.6% in 1965—1980 to 48.9% in 1981—1995) of correct preoperative diagnosis. (All these differences were significant;P < 0.01). In 1981—1995, there was a high incidence (51.1%) of small tumors (20 mm or less) and a high rate (39.5%) of metastases, and a relatively favorable postoperative outcome (10-year survival rate of 63.7%);P < 0.05. The diagnosis and treatment of gastrinoma/ZES have been markedly improved by increased rates of curative surgery, and more favorable postoperative outcomes will be expected in decades to come.     

Andersen-Tawil综合征的研究

Andersen-Tawil综合征是种罕见病,临床上表现为心律失常、周期性麻痹及发育异常,由于缺乏对此病的认识,极易被漏诊和误诊。大部分患者是由于KCNJ2突变导致Kir2.1离子通道改变的遗传性疾病,可使钾离子内向整流减少,从而导致心律失常和周期性麻痹。该文就Andersen-Tawil综合征病因、临床表现及治疗作一综述。     

Recent advances in the endoscopic management of variceal bleeding.

For the first time the endoscopist has more than one option for the management of gastro-oesophageal varices. It is now feasible to select the appropriate therapy on the basis of the clinical setting. Acute injection sclerotherapy remains a quick and simple technique for the control of active bleeding from oesophageal varices, and could be followed two or three days later by banding ligation. Earlier obliteration of varices with this technique may offer the prospect of only two or three sessions of therapy. The availability of the tissue adhesives and thrombin as injectates for fundal gastric varices provide the option of an initial attempt at endoscopic therapy in this high risk group.     

系统性红斑狼疮治疗进展

系统性红斑狼疮 (ＳＬＥ)是一种常见的、以内脏损害为主的自身免疫性风湿病。虽然ＳＬＥ仍是一个不可完全治愈的疾病 ,但是近十余年来 ,其治疗的目的已不只是控制症状 ,延长生命 ,而是诱导和维持病人长期缓解 ,使病人恢复正常的生活和工作 ,达到健康人的生命质量。 1999年 7月 ,德国学者Ｅｕｌｅｒ在美国风湿病学会期刊“Ａｒｔｈｒｉｔｉｓ＆Ｒｈｅｕｍａｔｉｓｍ”上首次提出了治愈ＳＬＥ的概念 ,并为ＳＬＥ“痊愈”下了一个初步的定义 (表 1)。表 1　Ｅｕｌｅｒ提出的ＳＬＥ“痊愈”的初步定义长期的和停止治疗的、血液系统和免疫系统均…     

A case of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome produced by gastrinoma in the duodenum accompanied with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

A case of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome produced by gastrinoma in the duodenum accompanied by multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 (MEN-1) is reported. A 46 year-old female underwent distal gastrectomy due to gastric ulcer 5 years ago. As ulceration of the residual stomach recurred, further examination was performed. Hyperprolactinemia, hypergastrinemia, primary hyperparathyroidism, pancreatic tumor, and duodenal carcinoid were evident, and the diagnoses of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and MEN-1 were established. The origin of the gastrin secretion was suspected to be from the pancreatic tumor, so sampling of the portal blood was performed. As lesion on the gastrinoma in the pancreas could not be identified, total parathyroidectomy was performed for primary hyperparathyroidism. The level of the gastrin secretion, however, remained high. Partial resection of the duodenum for the duodenal carcinoid and a distal pancreatectomy were carried out concurrently. Immunohistochemical study of the anti-gastrin antibody revealed duodenal tumor cells. Initially, the gastrinoma was thought to be in the pancreas, however, the lesion accompanied with MEN-1 and the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome had occurred in the duodenum.