Metastatic small cell neuroendocrine tumor with spinal cord compression – Understanding a rare entity

BACKGROUND: Metastatic spinal cord compression with carcinoid tumor as primary is a rare entity with its own diagnostic dilemmas and surgical challenges. Most of these neuroendocrine tumors arise from the gastrointestinal tract or lungs with metastasis to spine in <2% cases. Early diagnosis in an orderly manner is of significance as most of it is delayed due to slowly developing symptoms. Furthermore, prompt management has been an important factor as morbidity and mortality are high in such cases and surgical intervention if needed, which can be a challenge due to disturbed alignment, complex regional anatomy, and careful handling of spinal cord. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors describe a case report on similar lines of a middle aged gentleman presenting with low back pain and weakness in both lower limbs which on further investigations revealed a pathological fracture causing spinal cord compression due to metastasis from small cell carcinoma in the lungs, managed with surgical intervention, and subsequently with radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Secondary metastatic deposits in the lumbar vertebrae due to carcinoid tumors in the lungs are a rare entity and can be difficult to diagnose and manage further. However, it should be included in the list of differential diagnosis. The case report emphasizes on using investigative modalities such as PET-CT scan to aid an early diagnosis and plan further treatment plan as early as possible to offer a better quality of life to the patients.