[Paralytic ileus as an initial manifestation of malignant VIPoma of the pancreas--case report with review of the literature].

A 57-year old patient with a paralytic ileus of unknown origin was admitted to the intensive care unit. Because of the laboratory findings with therapy resistant hypokalemia, hypercalcemia and metabolic acidosis a VIPoma was suspected. Therapy with somatostatin resulted in correction of laboratory abnormalities and in normalization of gastrointestinal motility. Plasma concentrations of VIP and PP were elevated, ultrasonography revealed a pancreatic tumor. Postsurgical examination of the removal tumor tissue confirmed the diagnosis of a malignant VIPoma. Clinical symptoms, laboratory findings with and without somatostatin-therapy and immunhistochemical properties are described.