Abstract

Menetrier's disease is a protein losing hypertrophic gastropathy characterized by hypoproteinemia, and often is associated with the development of gastric cancer. Though the cause of Menetrier's disease has been unknown, the association with Helicobacter pylori was reported. A 30- year-old man was hospitalized for the evaluation of progressive dyspepsia for 2 years, hypoproteinemia, and recently aggravated epigastric pain with weight loss. Gastroscopy revealed prominent folds and multiple variable sized polypoid eminence in the body and antrum with positive CLO test. Histological findings revealed gastritis with erosions and foveolar hyperplasia. Any other diseases causing protein losing enteropathy were excluded. After the eradication of the H. pylori and long term treatment with proton pump inhibitor, clinical, endoscopic, and biochemical resolution ensued. Thus, we suggest that H. pylori eradication should be tried in patients with Menetrier's disease before invase treatment modalities such as surgical resection. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2004; 28:29⁣33)

• Keywords: Menetrier's disease, Helicobacter pylori