Diffuse somatostatin-immunoreactive D-cell hyperplasia in the stomach and duodenum

This paper presents the first case of extensive, diffuse,
somatostatin- immunoreactive D-cell hyperplasia in the human
stomach and duodenum. It occurred in a 37-yr-old woman, who showed
clinical signs of dwarfism, obesity, dryness of the mouth, and
goiter. The density of the distribution of D cells was increased
39-fold in the stomach fundus, 23- fold in the proximal antrum,
25-fold in the distal antrum, and 31-fold in the upper duodenum in
comparison with normal values. At the same time, the
gastrin-immunoreactive cells were increased 2.3-fold in the antrum.
Although the range in size of the D cells was within normal limits
in all regions examined, the G cells showed pronounced hypertrophy
of up to 127%. A possible relationship between the immuno-
histochemical findings and the clinical picture is discussed.