Mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma-secreting vasoactive intestinal peptide causing secretory diarrhoea.

Abstract

In this case report we describe a case of mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma-secreting vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), causing secretory diarrhoea in an 18-month-old child. An 18-month-old girl presented with a 2-month history of diarrhoea, abdominal distension and weight loss. Investigations revealed secretory diarrhoea with hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia and hypochloraemia and metabolic acidosis. Her stool output was 2.5-3.lday(-1) with increased stool sodium. VIP levels were strikingly high with normal glucagon and gastrin levels. X-ray of the chest revealed a well-defined mass in the right upper zone with tracheal shift, which was confirmed with computed tomography (CT) of the chest. The mass was resected and the patient became asymptomatic. This case shows that secretory diarrhoea caused by VIP and produced by ganglioneuroblastoma indicates a favourable prognosis, provided it is resectable.

• Authors: Khaled Husain, Elizabeth Thomas, Zeinab Demerdash, Susan Alexander
• Journal: Arab journal of gastroenterology : the official publication of the Pan-Arab Association of Gastroenterology (Arab J Gastroenterol) Vol. 12 Issue 2 Pg. 106-8 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 2090-2387 [Electronic] Egypt
• PMID: 21684485 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chemical References

• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Topics

• Diarrhea, Infantile (etiology)
• Female
• Ganglioneuroblastoma (complications, diagnostic imaging, metabolism, surgery)
• Humans
• Infant
• Mediastinal Neoplasms (complications, diagnostic imaging, metabolism, surgery)
• Radiography
• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (metabolism)