Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome presenting with bowel obstruction caused by intestinal neuroma: case report

South Med J. 2004 Nov;97(11):1130-2. doi: 10.1097/01.SMJ.0000140873.29381.12.

Abstract

We present the case of a 23-year-old male with a history since early childhood of lip and tongue mucosal neuromas. At the age of 19, he was diagnosed with both medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma within 1 year. These findings, with his marfanoid habitus, led to the diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2B) syndrome. This was confirmed by a positive RET proto-oncogene. On this admission, he presented with an intestinal obstruction. Abdominal exploration revealed an obstructing tumor mass requiring colectomy, which proved by biopsy to be an intestinal neuroma. This report presents a unique case of a colonic mucosal neuroma causing obstruction in MEN 2B syndrome after the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / complications
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Intestinal Obstruction / etiology*
  • Male
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b / diagnosis
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b / genetics
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b / physiopathology*
  • Neuroma / complications*
  • Neuroma / pathology
  • Neuroma / surgery
  • Pheochromocytoma / complications*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / complications
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis*