Question
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is characterized by which of the following clinical features?
| A. |
Severe recurrent gastric ulcers, persistent ulceration despite standard treatment, non-beta islet cell tumor of the pancreas (gastrinoma)
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| B. |
Severe recurrent gastric ulcers, persistent ulceration despite standard treatment, recurrent episodes of diarrhea
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| C. |
Severe recurrent gastric ulcers, non-beta islet cell tumor of the pancreas (gastrinoma), recurrent episodes of diarrhea
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| D. |
Persistent ulceration despite standard treatment, non-beta islet cell tumor of the pancreas (gastrinoma), recurrent episodes of diarrhea
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Show Answer
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Correct Answer » D
Explanation
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Clinical Reasoning for the Correct Answer:
– Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) results from a gastrin-secreting tumor (“gastrinoma”)—a non-beta islet cell tumor usually found in the pancreas or duodenum.
– Excess gastrin causes hypersecretion of gastric acid, leading to severe, refractory peptic ulcers and chronic diarrhea from acid inactivation of pancreatic enzymes and direct intestinal injury.
– The classic triad includes: persistent/refractory peptic ulcers, non-beta islet cell tumor (gastrinoma), and recurrent diarrhea.
Why Option A is Incorrect:
– Lacks recurrent diarrhea, a common and high-yield manifestation in ZES due to acid hypersecretion affecting intestinal absorption and pancreatic enzyme activity.
– Both severe recurrent ulcers and gastrinoma are correct, but omits diarrhea, making it incomplete.
Why Option B is Incorrect:
– Lacks the key feature of a non-beta islet cell tumor (gastrinoma), which is pathognomonic for ZES.
– Correctly includes ulcers and diarrhea but omits the underlying tumor.
Why Option C is Incorrect:
– Does not include “persistent ulceration despite standard treatment,” which is a hallmark of ZES (ulcers that do not heal even with therapy are highly suggestive).
– Lists correct components, but persistent/refractory ulceration is needed.
Why Option D is Correct:
– Includes all critical clinical features: persistent ulceration refractory to standard therapy, the presence of a non-beta islet cell tumor (gastrinoma), and recurrent episodes of diarrhea.
