Small intestinal ulceration secondary to carcinoid tumour arising in a Meckel's diverticulum.
A solitary small intestinal ulcer associated with a carcinoid tumour in a nearby Meckel's diverticulum was found in a 77 year old man presenting with massive rectal bleeding. Angiography and a radioisotope study localised the bleeding to the ileum. At operation, the Meckel's diverticulum was identified, with bleeding from an ulcer just distal to it. Pathological examination revealed a small carcinoid tumour confined to the Meckel's diverticulum. Close to the opening of the diverticulum, within the ileum, a well demarcated ulcer was present. Histology showed a non-specific ulcer which eroded a large blood vessel. This is the first documented occurrence of solitary small intestinal ulceration in association with a carcinoid tumour. Carcinoid tumour should be added to the list of possible causes of small intestinal ulceration. The ulceration may be secondary to release of cytokines by the tumour.
McCluggage
W G
WG
Department of Pathology, Royal Group of Hospitals Trust, Belfast, UK.
McConnell
L
L
Sloan
J M
JM
Ellis
P K
PK
Irwin
S T
ST
D000368:Aged; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D007078:Ileal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications*; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*