Zollinger syndrome, also known as gastrinoma, presents with intractable peptic ulcers and symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Because it was first reported by two surgeons, RM Zollinger and EH Ellison, in 1955, the syndrome characterized by hypergastrinemia, hyperacidity and refractory peptic ulcer caused by gastrinoma is also called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES).
1. Intractable peptic ulcer: the ulcers are often multiple, commonly in the duodenal bulb, and bleeding and perforation may recur when the ulcers are large.
2. Diarrhea: can occur when the ulcer develops and is the first or only symptom of the disease. Diarrhea occurs in about one-third of patients, often with fatty or watery stools, more often at night, and is relieved by aspiration of gastric juices.
3. Abdominal pain: three-fourths of the patients will have abdominal pain, because gastrin stimulates the gastric mucosa, so that the gastric acid and pepsin secretion leads to stomach pain.
If there is a recurrence of ulcers after surgery, ulcers with diarrhea, multiple ulcers, a family history of multiple endocrine tumors should be suspected Zuoai syndrome. The patient should be evaluated in a regular hospital (e.g., gastroscopy) and treated according to the doctor’s instructions in order to avoid delays.