title: Primary carcinoid tumor of medulla spinalis: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carcinoid tumors are slow growing neuroendocrine tumors which can originate from various sites within the body. A carcinoid tumor originating in the medulla spinalis has not previously been reported in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 33-year-old man, presenting with a five-month history of bilateral lower extremity pain, as well as paresthesia, and mild weakness in one lateral lower extremity. A lumbar laminectomy of L3 to L5 and en bloc resection of the tumor was performed. Postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis of the tumor were consistent with that of a carcinoid tumor. There were no clinical or radiological signs of tumor recurrence or metastasis at the patient's two year postoperative follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the differential diagnosis of medulla spinalis tumors, the possibility of a primary carcinoid tumor originating within the medulla spinalis should be considered. An accurate tumor classification is imperative to ensure that the most effective course of treatment is pursued.
authors.forename: Xian-feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery of the First Clinical Hospital, Jilin University, 71 Xinmin St, Changchun 130021, China. bieli@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*