Of the reported cases of pancreatic islet cell neoplasm associated with gastric hypersecretion (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome), about one-third include diarrhea as a prominent symptom. Occasionally, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are sufficient to induce electrolyte derangement, notably hypokalemia (1-3). In four reports (4-7), the diarrhea was suspected or proved to include steatorrhea. Among seven patients in whom the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome has been recognized at the Henry Ford Hospital, diarrhea has been noted in four, and two of these have exhibited steatorrhea.
One of the latter patients, who had neither symptom nor sign of peptic ulcer disease, sought medical care primarily because of