A case of Brunner's glands hyperplasia with diarrhea responsive to cimetidine.

A 64-year old woman is described who presented with diarrhea and was found to have diffuse nodular hyperplasia of Brunner's glands of the duodenum verified by endoscopy and biopsy. Gastric hyperacidity was demonstrated with basal acid output of 13.5 mEq. HCl/hr. and maximal acid output of 43 mEq. HCl/hr. Diarrhea was stopped by administration of cimetidine 1,200 mg./day, in divided doses. Two theories of the relationship of gastric hypersecretion to hyperplasia of Brunner's glands are discussed.