Unusual presentation of Stauffer syndrome in post Whipple patient: case report

TL;DR

A 78-year-old man with a history of Whipple surgery showed signs of Stauffer syndrome, a rare condition linked to kidney cancer, and his liver function improved after surgery.

Contribution

This case report highlights Stauffer syndrome in a post-Whipple patient with unexplained liver enzyme elevation and successful recovery after partial nephrectomy.

Findings

A 78-year-old male post-Whipple surgery presented with elevated aminotransferases and a renal mass.

Hepatic dysfunction resolved after partial nephrectomy, supporting Stauffer syndrome diagnosis.

The case underscores the importance of considering Stauffer syndrome in patients with unexplained liver abnormalities.

Abstract

Stauffer syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome associated with Renal Cell Cancer (RCC), seen in 3 %–20 % of cases characterized by reversible nonmetastatic anicteric, hepatic dysfunction in the absence of direct hepatobiliary obstruction. We report a case of 78-yr old male, post Whipple surgery who presented with progressive and isolated elevation of Aminotransferases. Imaging confirmed the presence of a renal mass without hepatic metastasis. The patient underwent partial nephrectomy. The patient's clinical course, management, and subsequent resolution of hepatic dysfunction after resection underscore the importance of considering Stauffer syndrome in patients with unexplained liver test abnormalities.

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