A 36-year-old woman complains of reflux symptoms and intermittent diarrhea. The diagnosis of gastrinoma is suspected so a fasting serum gastrin is obtained and found to be 280 pg/mL (normal <115 pg/mL). An abdominal CT is negative. What would you do now?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Measure serum gastrin in response to secretin infusion. This step is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of gastrinoma. Secretin stimulation test is used to differentiate between Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma) and other causes of hypergastrinemia. If serum gastrin levels remain elevated after secretin infusion, it supports the diagnosis of gastrinoma.
Choice A: Refer her for an exploratory laparotomy - This is an invasive procedure and should not be the first step in the investigation of gastrinoma.
Choice C: Treat her for H. pylori - This is not indicated in the management of suspected gastrinoma. H. pylori infection is not a likely cause of the symptoms described.
Choice D: Obtain a dedicated small bowel series - This test is not typically used in the initial evaluation of gastrinoma. The secretin stimulation test is the preferred method for confirming the diagnosis.