Ménétrier's disease. A trivalent gastropathy.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Oncology

Background:

• Ménétrier's disease is a rare condition characterized by enlarged gastric folds.
• Accurate diagnosis is challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other gastric disorders.

Observation:

• Reviewed 125 cases diagnosed with Ménétrier's disease, hypertrophic gastritis, or protein-losing gastropathy.
• Only six cases met unequivocal diagnostic criteria for Ménétrier's disease.
• Two previously reported cases were reclassified as nondiagnostic or Campylobacter pylori gastritis.

Findings:

• Abnormal gastric acid secretion and protein loss can coexist.
• Three patients exhibited a hypercoagulable state, one with gastric carcinoma.
• Gastric and esophageal carcinoma were identified in association with Ménétrier's disease.

Implications:

• Perioperative heparin administration is recommended for Ménétrier's disease patients.
• Total gastrectomy is the optimal treatment when conservative therapies fail.
• Total gastrectomy resolves protein loss, hyperchlorhydria, and mitigates cancer risk.