Development of an inveterate gastroduodenal ulcer caused by antral G-cell hyperplasia of the stomach (pseudo-Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome): Report of a case

Abstract

We describe herein the case of a 54-year-old Japanese woman in whom an inveterate peptic ulcer developed in association with
pseudo-Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (pseudo-ZES). The patient presented with weight loss and abdominal distension caused by
antral and duodenal stenosis due to an inveterate peptic ulcer. Her serum gastrin level was very high; however, no evidence
of a gastrinoma or carcinoid tumor was detected by preoperative examinations or surgery. A total gastrectomy and double-tract
reconstruction was performed, and pathological examination revealed a gastric ulcer (UL-IV) with no histopathological evidence
of a neoplasm. Immunohistochemical staining showed an obvious increase in the number of endocrine cells that were positive
for chromogranin A, and marked G-cell hyperplasia was observed in the antral mucosa. Furthermore, the number of enterochromaffin-like
cells was remarkably high. From the results of the immunohistochemical examination, the patient was diagnosed as having hypergastrinemia
due to antral G-cell hyperplasia. Postoperatively, the patient’s serum gastrin level fell rapidly to within the normal range,
her nutritional status improved, and her weight increased by about 10 kg within 1 year.

Key wordsPseudo-Zollinger-Ellison syndrome–G-cell hyperplasia–Hypergastrinemia