Brunner’s gland hyperplasias and hamartomas in association with Helicobacter pylori

Background: The proliferative lesions of the Brunner’s glands (BGs) are hyperplasia and hamartomas, and they are usually asymptomatic and very rarely diagnosed. The aetiology of these lesions is not yet clear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical presentations of patients with BG hyperplasia and hamartomas and to assess the pathological features of these lesions in association with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Methods: Our retrospective study included patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy in the endoscopy unit of our hospital between the years 2010 and 2015. The hospital records of 18 patients diagnosed with hyperplasia or hamartoma of BG were reviewed for their clinical and pathological findings. Results: Gender distribution in our study sample was a female/male ratio of 1. The age range was between 16 and 85 years (with a mean of 48.61). BG hyperplasia and hamartomas were found in 72.22 and 27.78% of the patients, respectively. Chronic gastritis and chronic duodenitis were found in 61.11 and 8.89% of the patients, respectively, and H. pylori was detected in the stomach mucosa of 66.67% patients. H. pylori was identified in 60% of BG hamartomas and in 69.2% of hyperplastic BGs. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that H. pylori may play an important role in the development of BG hyperplasia and hamartomas in association with chronic gastritis and duodenitis. This is probably due to chronic irritation.