Transrectal ultrasonography of a small rectal carcinoid tumor with lymph node metastasis: a case report

A 27-year-old woman with a small rectal carcinoid tumor was examined by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) for preoperative staging. TRUS revealed regional lymph node involvement, in addition to a 10-mm hypoechoic tumor invading into not through, the submucosa. The lymph node involvement was confirmed preoperatively by TRUS-guided needle biopsy. Although the digital examination findings indicated local excision was appropriate, in accordance with TRUS and TRUS-guided biopsy findings, the patient underwent radical surgery. The TRUS findings of lymph node involvement and depth of invasion were confirmed histologically. The patient is alive and disease-free 35 months postoperatively. These observations suggest that TRUS reveals the regional lymph node involvement and the depth of invasion of rectal carcinoid tumors accurately and, therefore, helps in selecting appropriate treatment.