Ileal Neuroendocrine Tumour Causing Carcinoid Syndrome in Absence of Hepatic Metastasis

Abstract

Carcinoid syndrome consists of the classic symptom triad of flushing, diarrhoea, and valvular heart disease. It occurs in the majority of patients with liver metastases. This report presents a 68-year-old female who suffered from chronic diarrhoea with a history of multiple admissions for the same. On evaluation, a Computed Tomography (CT) scan showed a terminal ileal lesion and bulky ovaries. Suspecting Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) with carcinoid syndrome, a Gallium 68 DOTANOC (DOTA-1-Nal3-octreotide) scan was done which revealed somatostatin receptor expression in enhancing soft tissue lesion in terminal ileum as well as in bilateral adnexa. This confirmed the diagnosis of NET of the ileum and bilateral ovarian metastases. The patient underwent laparoscopic curative resection of the primary tumour along with bilateral oophorectomy. The patient was diagnosed with ileal NET and presented with clinical symptoms of carcinoid syndrome, yet did not have evidence of hepatic metastasis, but instead had bilateral ovarian metastasis which itself is a rare entity.

Keywords

• diarrhoea
• ileal carcinoid
• laparoscopic resection
• ovarian metastasis