Published online Jul 27, 2018. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v10.i7.517
Peer-review started: March 29, 2018
First decision: April 23, 2018
Revised: April 25, 2018
Accepted: May 30, 2018
Article in press: May 31, 2018
Published online: July 27, 2018
Primary hepatic gastrinoma is a rare disease, with fewer than 40 cases reported in the medical literature. Because it is located in an organ in which metastases are common, its diagnosis is difficult. We report a case of a 19 years old male patient with a history of gastric ulcers since the age of nine. Following gastric surgery, an antrectomy and a vagotomy, there was some alleviation of symptoms. Subsequently, the patient reported various intermittent episodes of diarrhea, diffuse abdominal pain, and vomiting. The patient underwent tomography, which revealed the presence of a hepatic mass measuring 19.5 cm × 12.5 cm × 17 cm. Primary hepatic gastrinoma was diagnosed based on laboratory examinations that indicated hypergastrinemia and a positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance study with somatostatin analogue that confirmed the liver as the primary site. After hepatic trisegmentectomy (II, III, IV, V, VIII), the patient’s symptoms improved. The case is notable for the presence of a rare tumor with uncommon dimensions.
Core tip: Primary hepatic gastrinoma is a very rare disease. Due to its location in an organ in which metastases are common, its diagnosis is difficult. We report a case of a 19 years old male patient with a history of gastric ulcers since the age of nine. Hypergastrinemia and a PET/MR study with somatostatin analogue confirmed that the liver was the primary site. After hepatic trisegmentectomy, the patient’s symptoms improved. The case is notable for the presence of a rare tumor with uncommon dimensions.