Ménétrier disease. Report of a case and literature review

Abstract

Ménetrier's disease is arare pathological entity which is difficult to diagnose and therefore, patient treatment is often delayed. A case is presented which was initially diagnosed at the Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Medellín, and later, surgically intervened at the Hospital General de Medellín. This case corresponds to a 58 year-old female who consulted because of diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss of one year of evolution. Superior digestive tract endoscopy with biopsy, intestinal transit, and abdominal CT scan were done on the patient, but did not conclude the diagnosis. An explorative laparotomy and full- thickness biopsy of the stomach wall were then done. The latter reported Ménetrier's disease. Due to the lack of response to H2 blockers and a long evolution of symptoms, the patient underwent a total gastrectomy. She was discharged on the tenth day and underwent followup for more than a year. Remission of the proteinlosing enteropathy was observed. A review is made on the most notable clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.