McKittrick-Wheelock Syndrome: A Neoplastic Cause of Electrolyte Imbalance

Inês de Sousa Miranda; Joana Rodrigues Ferreira; Sara Rocha; Marta Monteiro; José Guillerme; Raquel Domingos

doi:10.12890/2022_003227

McKittrick-Wheelock Syndrome: A Neoplastic Cause of Electrolyte Imbalance

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2022 Mar 24;9(3):003231. doi: 10.12890/2022_003227. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Inês de Sousa Miranda¹, Joana Rodrigues Ferreira², Sara Rocha¹, Marta Monteiro¹, José Guillerme², Raquel Domingos¹

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Egas Moniz, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal.
² General Surgery Department, Hospital Egas Moniz, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal.

Abstract

The authors present the case of a 79-year-old woman who presented with chronic secretory diarrhoea and severe electrolyte imbalance. A large rectal tubulovillous adenoma was discovered, leading to surgical resection of the tumour with complete resolution of the diarrhoea and electrolyte imbalance. The diagnosis of McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome was made. We hope this case report will contribute to a greater awareness among health professionals about this clinical condition. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for the best outcome.

Learning points: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is an important differential diagnosis in patients presenting with electrolyte abnormalities and secretory diarrhoea.A multidisciplinary approach from the beginning is important for a timely diagnosis and better outcome.Surgical removal of the hypersecretory villous adenoma is the definitive treatment for McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome and can be life-saving.

Keywords: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome; electrolyte imbalance; tubulovillous adenoma.