RATIONALE

Small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SBNETs) often present with nonspecific clinical manifestations, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment when coexisting comorbidities in the perioperative period. This report discusses a rare case involving SBNETs associated with scoliosis, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiological characteristics, clinicopathologic features, and treatment strategies related to SBNETs.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 69-year-old male presented with a 10-month history of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. He had been admitted to the other medical institutions multiple times due to recurrent abdominal pain and was diagnosed with small bowel obstruction over the past 10 months. He had a history of scoliosis. Radiographic spine imaging revealed severe scoliosis. At the same time, contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans indicated slight thickening and enhancement of the small intestinal wall and identified a mass in the mesentery. An enteroscopy did not reveal any significant abnormalities.

DIAGONSES

Histopathological examination of the tumor specimens confirmed the diagnosis of a small bowel neuroendocrine tumor.

INTERVENTIONS

The case was reviewed in a multidisciplinary team discussion, which led to the decision for an exploratory laparotomy. During the surgical procedure, a segment of the small intestine and the associated regional mesenteric lymph nodes were successfully resected.

OUTCOMES

The patient had an uneventful recovery after surgery, and a follow-up 6 months later showed no signs of recurrence.

LESSONS

Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT is pivotal in the preoperative diagnosis and perioperative staging of SBNETs. Surgical resection remains the gold standard for treatment. In special cases when coexisting with comorbidities such as scoliosis, an individualized treatment strategy should be made after being reviewed by a multidisciplinary discussion.