Diagnostic efficacy of the secretin stimulation test for the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: an intra-individual comparison using different dosages in patients and controls

Validity of Secretin Stimulation Testing on Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy for Diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is characterized by gastrinoma-induced hypergastrinemia causing excessive gastric acid secretion. Secretin stimulation tests (SSTs) are required for diagnosis in the majority of patients. Two case reports suggest that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) cause false SST results. Consequently, PPIs are discontinued to allow hyperchlorhydria to recur; however, uncontrolled acidity can cause life-threatening complications in those with underlying undiagnosed ZES. The aim of this study was to determine whether PPIs influence the validity of SSTs for the diagnosis of ZES.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed. Charts of patients who underwent SSTs were reviewed to determine whether they were performed on or off PPI and the test's accuracy by comparing the results with gold standard tests (diagnostic laboratory testing performed off PPI or surgical pathology consistent with gastrinoma). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of SST on PPI were calculated and results compared with SST off PPI using noninferiority analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients corresponding to 29 SSTs were performed on PPI, and 70 patients corresponding to 107 SSTs were performed off PPI. Most of them were female and white and had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. We found no false-positive or false-negative SSTs on PPI. Sensitivity, specificity, and PPV of SSTs on PPI were determined to be noninferior to SSTs off PPI (P ≤ 0.05 for all).

DISCUSSION

In our cohort, SSTs on PPI compared with SSTs off PPI were noninferior for sensitivity, specificity, and PPV. These results suggest that PPI withdrawal before SSTs may not be necessary.

Gastrinoma and Zollinger Ellison syndrome: A roadmap for the management between new and old therapies

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) associated with pancreatic or duodenal gastrinoma is characterized by gastric acid hypersecretion, which typically leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease, recurrent peptic ulcers, and chronic diarrhea. As symptoms of ZES are nonspecific and overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders, the diagnosis is often delayed with an average time between the onset of symptoms and final diagnosis longer than 5 years. The critical step for the diagnosis of ZES is represented by the initial clinical suspicion. Hypergastrinemia is the hallmark of ZES; however, hypergastrinemia might recognize several causes, which should be ruled out in order to make a final diagnosis. Gastrin levels > 1000 pg/mL and a gastric pH below 2 are considered to be diagnostic for gastrinoma; some specific tests, including esophageal pH-recording and secretin test, might be useful in selected cases, although they are not widely available. Endoscopic ultrasound is very useful for the diagnosis and the local staging of the primary tumor in patients with ZES, particularly in the setting of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Some controversies about the management of these tumors also exist. For the localized stage, the combination of proton pump inhibitory therapy, which usually resolves symptoms, and surgery, whenever feasible, with curative intent represents the hallmark of gastrinoma treatment. The high expression of somatostatin receptors in gastrinomas makes them highly responsive to somatostatin analogs, supporting their use as anti-proliferative agents in patients not amenable to surgical cure. Other medical options for advanced disease are super-imposable to other neuroendocrine neoplasms, and studies specifically focused on gastrinomas only are scant and often limited to case reports or small retrospective series. The multidisciplinary approach remains the cornerstone for the proper management of this composite disease. Herein, we reviewed available literature about gastrinoma-associated ZES with a specific focus on differential diagnosis, providing potential diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) and neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs)

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are relatively rare neoplasms with 6.4-times increasing age-adjusted annual incidence during the last four decades. NENs arise from neuroendocrine cells, which release hormones in response to neuronal stimuli and they are distributed into organs and tissues. The presentation and biological behaviour of the NENs are highly heterogeneous, depending on the organ. The increased incidence is mainly due to increased awareness and improved detection methods both in the majority of sporadic NENs (non-inherited), but also the inherited groups of neoplasms appearing in at least ten genetic syndromes. The most important one is multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), caused by mutations in the tumour suppressor gene MEN1. MEN-1 has been associated with different tumour manifestations of NENs e.g. pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, thymus and pituitary. Pancreatic NENs tend to be less aggressive when arising in the setting of MEN-1 compared to sporadic pancreatic NENs. There have been very important improvements over the past years in both genotyping, genetic counselling and family screening, introduction and validation of various relevant biomarkers, as well as newer imaging modalities. Alongside this development, both medical, surgical and radionuclide treatments have also advanced and improved morbidity, quality of life and mortality in many of these patients. Despite this progress, there is still space for improving insight into the genetic and epigenetic factors in relation to the biological mechanisms determining NENs as part of MEN-1. This review gives a comprehensive update of current evidence for co-occurrence, diagnosis and treatment of MEN-1 and neuroendocrine neoplasms and highlight the important progress now finding its way to international guidelines in order to improve the global management of these patients.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Case report

Introduction: The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is a pathology caused by a neuroendocrine tumor, usually located in the pancreas or the duodenum, which is characterized by elevated levels of gastrin, resulting in an excessive production of gastric acid.Case presentation: A 42-year-old female patient with a history of longstanding peptic ulcer disease, who consulted due to persistent epigastric pain, melena and signs of peritoneal irritation.  Perforated peptic ulcer was suspected, requiring emergency surgical intervention. Subsequently, a tumor lesion in the head of the pancreas was documented and managed with Whipple procedure. The pathology results reported a tumor suggestive of neuroendocrine neoplasm.Discussion: The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome occurs in 0.1 to 3 people per 1 000 000 inhabitants worldwide and is predominant in women between 20 and 50 years of age. It usually appears as a refractory acid-peptic disease or as a complication of gastric acid hypersecretion. Medical therapy is the standard management, being proton pump inhibitors (PPI) the most effective option. Surgery is recommended for sporadic ZES.Conclusions: ZES has a low incidence rate. It is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic epigastric pain and high clinical suspicion is required to achieve adequate management. This article is highly relevant as it presents a confirmed clinical case of ZES in Colombia, highlighting the importance of producing local scientific literature to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology.

Hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria are associated with false-positive secretin stimulation testing for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Secretin stimulation testing (SST) is used to evaluate patients with hypergastrinemia in the diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Case series have documented false-positive SST in patients with achlorhydria. This study reviews our experience with SST in hypochlorhydric and achlorhydric patients.

METHODS

We examined 27 patients with hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria based on a predefined basal acid output (BAO) measurement of less than 5.0 mEq/h who also underwent SST for diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. We report the frequency of false-positive SST results in this setting.

RESULTS

Three hundred thirty patients underwent gastric analysis of which 27 had BAO of less than 5.0 mEq/h and SST conducted. The mean (SD) fasting gastrin level was 247 (304) pg/mL, and the mean (SD) BAO measurement was 1.6 (1.8) mEq/h. Twenty patients were off, and 7 were on antisecretory therapy at time of testing. Four patients had false-positive SST results: 3 with gastric atrophy (BAO = 0 mEq/h) and 1 with drug-induced hypochlorhydria (BAO = 0.5 mEq/hr). These false-positive test results were confirmed by structural and functional imaging studies.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified a 14.8% false-positive rate in SST in patients with hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria. Growing literature has identified severe consequences associated with discontinuing antisecretory treatment for testing; therefore, SST will require interpretation in the setting of gastric acid suppression and needs to be interpreted in this context.