Neuroendocrine tumour metastasis to the orbit

Abstract

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are tumours that usually arise in the gastrointestinal tract and the bronchopulmonary system. The orbit is a rare anatomical site for their metastases. In the following article we present a case report of a 73-year-old man who was admitted to the Ophthalmology Department because of eye pain and high intraocular pressure in the right eye. There was also eye motility restriction, diplopia, oedema of the eyelid, and subconjunctival haemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumour in the right orbit, probably arising from the inferior rectus muscle. The patient was qualified for surgery, during which orbit decompression was conducted and a sample of the tumour tissue was collected. Based on the biopsy of the lesion, diagnosis of a metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasm, probably of gastrointestinal origin, was made. Further diagnostic procedures revealed metastases to other organs, and the patient was qualified for oncological treatment. In this case, orbital metastasis was the first diagnosed location of the neoplasm.