Intradural Carcinoid Tumor Found in a Patient with No History of Cancer

Carcinoid tumors are rare neoplasms that often arise from the gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts. They often metastasize to bone tissue and pancreatic and hepatic sites. The central nervous system and most specifically the spinal cord are rarely involved. Primary carcinoid tumors of the central nervous system are even rarer.

A 58-year-old man presented with progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness and a negative history of cancer. Imaging revealed an intradural mass at the L1 and L2 spinal levels. Surgical resection of the tumor via laminectomy was performed. The tumor was observed to have eroded through the dura and was compressing the spinal nerves. Histopathologically, the mass was observed to be of carcinoid origin. A subsequent octreoscan revealed no primary sites of carcinoid tumor. Postoperatively, the patient was followed for 1.5 years. The patient reported improvement in sensation to his lower extremities with no change in motor findings.

Carcinoid tumors of the central nervous system are extremely rare, but they should remain in the differential diagnosis for patients experiencing extremity weakness and back or neck pain with an intradural mass and no primary source of the tumor identified or other manifestations of a primary tumor.