[Ménétrier's disease of childhood and acute cytomegalus virus infection]

Menetrier disease and Cytomegalovirus infection in paediatric age: report of three cases and a review of the literature

Paediatric Menetrier disease (PMD) is a protein-losing gastropathy, presenting with generalized oedema and abdominal symptoms. PMD commonly has an acute course and may be associated with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the epidemiological and clinical data, diagnostic procedures, treatment and outcome of CMV-associated PMD. The medical charts of the patients with PMD and CMV infection diagnosed at our hospital have been reviewed. Then, a systematic literature's review of all the cases of PMD and a selection of those associated with CMV infection have been performed. Three previously healthy boys were admitted for vomiting and oedema. Endoscopy showed hypertrophic gastric folds and CMV infection was diagnosed. Albumin was administered in all cases, with clinical resolution within few weeks. In literature, PMD has been described in 150 children and the association between CMV and PMD was found in 89 cases. Clinical and laboratory data, radiological and histological exams, therapy and outcome were reviewed.Conclusions: Basing on the present experience and on the current knowledge, PMD has a benign course without long-term sequelae. Although PMD is rare in children, we recommend paediatricians to consider CMV-related PMD when facing children with vomiting and diffuse oedema. What is Known: • Paediatricians should consider Menetrier disease (MD) when facing oedematous child complaining of abdominal symptoms with hypoalbuminemia, without proteinuria and liver dysfunction. • Typical ultrasound features (hypertrophic gastric folds) suggest such condition which requires endoscopy and biopsy for definitive diagnosis. What is New: • A familial susceptibility to CMV gastric infection has been recently suggested; thus when suspecting MD, the family history of gastric diseases should be investigated. • Menetrier disease has been found associated with other unusual conditions either benign (such as gastric bezoar) or malign as neoplasms (acute lymphatic leukaemia and adenocarcinoma) even in children.

Diagnosis and Management of Ménétrier Disease in Children: A Case Series Review

PURPOSE

Ménétrier disease (MD) was first described in 1888, and 50 cases have been reported until now. We aimed to discuss the etiology, diagnostics, and management of MD in children.

METHODS

We searched for case reports published from 2014 till 2019 in English using PubMed. Articles were selected using subject headings and key words of interest to the topic. Interesting references of the included articles were also included.

RESULTS

The pathophysiology of MD is still uncertain. However, overexpression of transforming growth factor alpha with transformation of the gastric mucosa has been observed, which may be mediated by genetics and provoked by an infectious trigger. Clinically, MD is diagnosed by abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, and edema secondary to hypoalbuminemia. A gastroscopy with biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of MD. In children, the disease is self-limiting and only requires supportive treatment. In general, children have a good prognosis and recover spontaneously within a few weeks.

CONCLUSION

Few pediatric cases of MD have been described in recent years, and with all different etiology. Endoscopy with biopsy remains the golden standard for the diagnosis of MD, and in children, the disease is self-limiting.

[Ménétrieŕs disease associated with cytomegalovirus infection]

Menetrier's disease is a rare entity in children, characterized by a protein-losing gastroenteropathy with thickening of the gastric mucosa and generalized edema. The most common etiology is viral, and cytomegalovirus is the agent most frequently implicated. Unlike in the adult, it is a self-limited disorder with a good prognosis in children. Four patients (three boys and one girl) diagnosed with Ménétrier disease in the past five years were reviewed. The mean age at presentation was 28.7 months (range: 10-48 months). The most common clinical symptoms were fever, vomiting, and edema. Endoscopy showed thickened gastric folds and erosions in several stages. All patients had an associated gastric cytomegalovirus infection, and a favorable outcome, with resolution of the disorder,was observed within a few weeks.

Doença de Ménétrier: relato de caso em menina

OBJETIVO: Relatar um caso de menina com doença de Ménétrier. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Menina de dez anos, admitida com história de vômitos, diarréia, distensão e dor abdominal intermitentes há três dias. A suspeita foi apendicite e a paciente foi submetida à laparotomia, com achado de ascite e adenomegalia mesentérica. No pós-operatório, evoluiu com edema generalizado, ascite e derrame pleural. Os exames complementares e a evolução clínica demonstraram tratar-se de doença de Ménétrier. COMENTÁRIOS: O quadro clínico e os exames solicitados (alfa-1-antitripsina fecal aumentada, mucosa gástrica tipo fúndica com moderado grau de hiperplasia do epitélio luminal e foveolar e seriografia com hipertrofia do pregueado mucoso gástrico) confirmaram a doença de Ménétrier.