SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Menetrier's Disease: An Uncommon Cause of a Common Symptom

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Ménétrier’s disease is a rare acquired stomach disorder that causes giant gastric folds, reduced acid secretion, and protein loss leading to hypoalbuminemia. It is characterized on biopsy by foveolar hyperplasia/hypoplasia and may be associated with H. pylori or CMV infection. Common symptoms include lower-extremity edema, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.  <br /><br />The case describes a 45-year-old man with three weeks of progressive edema extending to the waist, mild abdominal pain, and bloating. Initial evaluation showed normal kidney, liver, and thyroid studies but low albumin. Urinalysis did not suggest nephrotic syndrome, and echocardiogram was normal. CT and MRI revealed diffuse thickening of the gastric folds without evidence of cirrhosis or another clear systemic cause. Endoscopy was negative for H. pylori and CMV and showed foveolar hyperplasia, supporting the diagnosis of Ménétrier’s disease. Additional testing suggested protein loss through the gastrointestinal tract.  <br /><br />He was treated with a high-protein diet and proton pump inhibitor therapy, after which his albumin normalized and edema resolved over several months.  <br /><br />The report emphasizes that lower-extremity edema has many common causes, especially cardiac, renal, and liver disease, but protein-losing enteropathies should also be considered when routine workup is unrevealing. Although symptoms often improve, patients with Ménétrier’s disease have an increased risk of gastric cancer, so periodic endoscopic surveillance is recommended.

Asset Subtitle

Matthew Onders

Meta Tag

Author List Jay Anderson, Matthew Onders

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Ménétrier Disease

Concept Giant Gastric Folds

Concept Hypoalbuminemia

Concept Protein-Losing Enteropathy

Concept Foveolar Hyperplasia

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital

Presenting Author Matthew Onders

Track Adult

Keywords

Ménétrier’s disease

giant gastric folds

hypoalbuminemia

protein-losing enteropathy

foveolar hyperplasia

lower-extremity edema

gastric cancer risk

H. pylori

cytomegalovirus

proton pump inhibitor

Ménétrier Disease

Giant Gastric Folds

Hypoalbuminemia

Protein-Losing Enteropathy

Foveolar Hyperplasia