Fortuitous discovery of an early neuroendocrine tumor during appendicular peritonitis

Neuroendocrine tumors of the small bowel are rare but represent the most frequent histological type at this level; their incidence is increasing thanks to the evolution of diagnostic means.Intestinal NETs, developed at the expense of enterochromaffin cells of the embryological midgut, are frequently associated with mesenteric lymph node dissemination and distant metastasis (liver, peritoneum).

We report a case of Incidental discovery of a small bowel neuroendocrinetumor during appendicular peritonitis in the department of Emergency visceral surgery P35 of the ibn rochd hospital in casablanca.

Our patient Our patient was admitted to the emergency room for generalized abdominal pain with an appendicular symptomatology evolving five days before days the consultation with clinical examination: conscious patient stable on the hemodynamic and respiratory plan The examination noted generalized abdominal defense the hernial orifices were free The biological work-up revealed a hb 13 g/dL; hyperleukocytosis with predominantly PNN at 18,300 elements/mm3,CRP was elevated to 190, renal function was normal urea 5 mmol/L creatinemia 9 mg/l an abdominal ultrasound showed a 9 mm appenndix perforated at its tip with moderate peritoneal effusion.the patient were operated in the emergency room, approached by laparotomy with the exploration we found a swollen and inflamed appenndix perforated at the level of its tip with moderate peritoneal effusion with false membranes in all the peritoneal cavity with the presence of a polyp localized at 2 m from the duodenojejunal flexur .the patient benefited from a retrograde appendectomy with peritoneal cleansing and a resection of the polyp with 1cm on each side with a Grele-grele anastomosis with the examination of the anapathomopathologist: aspect compatible with a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of grade 2.

Digestive NETs are rare tumors, but their incidence has increased significantly in recent years. This is due to a better knowledge of these tumors, whose diagnosis is becoming easier with the advent of new morphological and biological techniques.The intestinal location is the most frequent. The digestive surgeon must therefore be familiar with its management. An update of knowledge and collaboration between surgeons, anatomopathologists, radiologists and oncologists are necessary, Whatever their location, these tumors are on the one hand capable of producing and secreting amines and on the other hand they are characterized by a common phenotype, expression of general endocrine markers (specific neuron enolase, chromogranin) or specific endocrine markers and expression of peptide receptors such as somastotatin receptors.These tumors are most often diagnosed incidentally during the workup of aspecific digestive disorders or during hormonal hypersecretion syndrome or rarely by a complication.