Huai Heng Loh1, Florence Tan2

1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Kuching, Sarawak
2Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak

Keywords: VIPoma, Vernor-Morrison syndrome, pancreatic tumour, chronic diarrhoea, hypokalemia.

Abstract

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-producing tumour (VIPoma) is rare. It typically causes the Vernor-Morrison syndrome characterized by watery diarrhoea, hypokalemia and achlorydria/acidosis. We report a case of VIPoma presenting with severe Vernor-Morrison syndrome requiring intensive care and a review of recent English literature from year 2000 till 2010 for this rare disease. Prompt recognition and early diagnosis are crucial to allow early intervention and improve outcome for this rare disease.