S6104 Beyond the Pancreas: Two Atypical Presentations of VIPoma Requiring Multidisciplinary Care

Introduction: VIPomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors, typically originating in the pancreas, secrete vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), causing profound secretory diarrhea. Atypical presentation like extra-pancreatic and malignant VIPomas are exceedingly rare. We present 2 diagnostically and therapeutically challenging cases of VIPomas illustrating role of multidisciplinary management in complex neuroendocrine disorders. Case Description/Methods: Case 1: A 40-year-old man with asymptomatic HIV was admitted for hypertensive urgency and found to have a large left adrenal mass (9.8 × 7.5 × 7.4 cm). Lab work revealed elevated serum metanephrines, consistent with pheochromocytoma. Concurrently, he developed severe, high-output secretory diarrhea (>3 L/day) with severe electrolyte abnormalities. Extensive gastrointestinal evaluation excluded infectious and pancreatic causes. Elevated serum VIP level (954 pg/mL) confirmed VIPoma physiology. Imaging showed no pancreatic lesion, suggesting an extra-pancreatic adrenal VIPoma. Immunostaining of the adrenal lesion was positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin. Associated hypercalcemia and suspected parathyroid adenoma raised concern for MEN2; however, RET mutation testing was negative. He underwent preoperative alpha- and beta-blockade followed by adrenalectomy. Postoperatively, diarrhea and electrolyte disturbances resolved, allowing discontinuation of octreotide and antidiarrheals. Case 2: A 54-year-old man with a well-differentiated small intestinal VIPoma metastatic to lymph nodes and mesentery underwent partial small bowel resection and lymph node debulking, with the dominant mesenteric mass left unresected to avoid short gut syndrome. Postoperative persistent diarrhea was managed with lanreotide and telotristat ethyl. Chronic diarrhea caused significant mucosal trauma, forming a transsphincteric perianal fistula and broad-based anal fissures with internal sphincter exposure. These painful anorectal complications required multidisciplinary intervention, including surgery evaluation, botulinum toxin injection to the internal sphincter, and bilateral pudendal nerve blocks. Persistent pelvic pain necessitated computed tomography-guided pudendal nerve ablation, resulting in symptom improvement. Discussion: These cases highlight complications of VIPoma syndromes, requiring comprehensive management with multidisciplinary care to address the multifaceted challenges, improving quality of life in this complex population.

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Publication Details

Journal
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14309/01.ajg.0001152876.43712.eb
Primary Topic
Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Advances
Type
article
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0.00
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article

S6104 Beyond the Pancreas: Two Atypical Presentations of VIPoma Requiring Multidisciplinary Care

Imran Balouch, Eugene Annor, Fatima Ahson, Yusuf Kagzi
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Advances
article

S6104 Beyond the Pancreas: Two Atypical Presentations of VIPoma Requiring Multidisciplinary Care

Imran Balouch, Eugene Annor, Fatima Ahson, Yusuf Kagzi
article en

Abstract

Introduction: VIPomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors, typically originating in the pancreas, secrete vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), causing profound secretory diarrhea. Atypical presentation like extra-pancreatic and malignant VIPomas are exceedingly rare. We present 2 diagnostically and therapeutically challenging cases of VIPomas illustrating role of multidisciplinary management in complex neuroendocrine disorders. Case Description/Methods: Case 1: A 40-year-old man with asymptomatic HIV was admitted for hypertensive urgency and found to have a large left adrenal mass (9.8 × 7.5 × 7.4 cm). Lab work revealed elevated serum metanephrines, consistent with pheochromocytoma. Concurrently, he developed severe, high-output secretory diarrhea (>3 L/day) with severe electrolyte abnormalities. Extensive gastrointestinal evaluation excluded infectious and pancreatic causes. Elevated serum VIP level (954 pg/mL) confirmed VIPoma physiology. Imaging showed no pancreatic lesion, suggesting an extra-pancreatic adrenal VIPoma. Immunostaining of the adrenal lesion was positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin. Associated hypercalcemia and suspected parathyroid adenoma raised concern for MEN2; however, RET mutation testing was negative. He underwent preoperative alpha- and beta-blockade followed by adrenalectomy. Postoperatively, diarrhea and electrolyte disturbances resolved, allowing discontinuation of octreotide and antidiarrheals. Case 2: A 54-year-old man with a well-differentiated small intestinal VIPoma metastatic to lymph nodes and mesentery underwent partial small bowel resection and lymph node debulking, with the dominant mesenteric mass left unresected to avoid short gut syndrome. Postoperative persistent diarrhea was managed with lanreotide and telotristat ethyl. Chronic diarrhea caused significant mucosal trauma, forming a transsphincteric perianal fistula and broad-based anal fissures with internal sphincter exposure. These painful anorectal complications required multidisciplinary intervention, including surgery evaluation, botulinum toxin injection to the internal sphincter, and bilateral pudendal nerve blocks. Persistent pelvic pain necessitated computed tomography-guided pudendal nerve ablation, resulting in symptom improvement. Discussion: These cases highlight complications of VIPoma syndromes, requiring comprehensive management with multidisciplinary care to address the multifaceted challenges, improving quality of life in this complex population.

The American Journal of GastroenterologyVol. 120(10S2)
Openalex Percentile: Top 49%
Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Advances
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