Small bowel carcinoid tumor causing intestinal ischemia: A case report with review of the literature

Background: Intestinal carcinoid tumors are well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors that are capable of secreting bioactive hormones and/or amines; These tumors are uncommon but are the most common primary tumors of the small intestine. Case presentation: We report the case of an 80-year-old woman who presented with a long history (about 14 years ago) of atypical digestive symptoms such as vague abdominal pain, alternating diarrhea, and constipation, treated as functional colopathy without improvement, until the day when she presented with worsening pain that prompted her consultation. CT scan revealed typical manifestations of a carcinoid tumor associated with signs of subacute small bowel ischemia. Despite the surgery being considered a gold standard treatment, it was rejected due to the extent of tumor mesenteric involvement, therefore, the patient received only somatostatin treatment. Conclusion: Small bowel carcinoid tumors are rare, with typical imaging features based on cross-sectional imaging (CE CT/MRI). Intestinal ischemia is a well-known complication that can be a factor in mortality.