Puia D, Ivanuta M, Pricop C. Appendicular Neuroendocrine Tumours: An Unusual Cause of Hydronephrosis.
Cureus 2024;
16:e62774. [PMID:
39036213 PMCID:
PMC11260117 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.62774]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Although neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are predominantly located in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs, they can also occur in uncommon places such as the biliary system, prostate, breast, head, neck, and even the spinal cord. We present the case of a 30-year-old woman who was referred to the urology clinic for right ureterohydronephrosis. Because the contrast-enhanced CT scan did not show signs of kidney stones or an upper urothelial tract cell carcinoma and was combined with renal scintigraphy, the kidney was not functional, and a left nephrectomy was performed. During the surgery, it was observed that the appendix was attached to the ureter by a tiny tumour. In addition, an appendectomy was also conducted. The pathological test indicated the presence of a NET that had invaded the ureter. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. The tissue has been positive for chromogranin and synaptophysin staining. Our work highlights the infrequency and difficulty of diagnosing NETs that invade the ureter. Conducting a thorough histological evaluation in patients with uncertain histopathological diagnoses is essential.
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