Menetriers Disease; Report of a Case with Transient and Reversible Findings

Abstract

This report is of a case of Menetrier’s disease which resolved spontaneously over a 3-week period. We suggest that the case is unique because of its short course, apparent reversibility, and possible allergic etiology

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

A 49-year-old housewife, m. L., no history of asthma, renal, liver, prior intestinal disease, or allergies

Clinical Characteristics

Nausea and vomiting, bilateral ankle edema, cramping abdominal pain, pruritus of one leg, pitting edema of both legs, enormous, irregular, distorted gastric folds, large, thickened, irregular nonulcerated folds, cystic dilation of the more basally oriented glands

Remission Characteristics

Within 3 weeks of the start of her illness she felt better, the leg edema had markedly decreased, and she was free of abdominal pain. Serum protein increased to 6.1 gm and the albumin to 3.7 g/100 ml. Two months from the onset, a repeat upper gastrointestinal series showed a marked decrease in the size of the gastric folds. A repeat [51cr] albumin study, 4 months after the onset of her illness, showed a decrease in excretion to 1.4%

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Not discussed

Clinical Treatment

She was placed on a low salt, high protein diet

Additional Notes

Possible allergic etiology. The patient developed some pruritus, edema, and a rash at the chromium injection site. She is currently symptom-free and has normal serum protein levels