Subcentimeter Ileal Neuroendocrine Tumor Resection for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding Followed by Pacemaker-Treated Sick Sinus Syndrome: A Case Report.
J, L.V., G, B.S., F, N.M., J, Z.H., R, J.S., & X, S. (2026). Subcentimeter Ileal Neuroendocrine Tumor Resection for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding Followed by Pacemaker-Treated Sick Sinus Syndrome: A Case Report.. The American journal of case reports. https://doi.org/10.12659/AJCR.953537
J LV, G BS, F NM, J ZH, R JS, X S. Subcentimeter Ileal Neuroendocrine Tumor Resection for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding Followed by Pacemaker-Treated Sick Sinus Syndrome: A Case Report.. The American journal of case reports. 2026; doi: 10.12659/AJCR.953537
J LV, G BS, F NM, et al. Subcentimeter Ileal Neuroendocrine Tumor Resection for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding Followed by Pacemaker-Treated Sick Sinus Syndrome: A Case Report.[J]. The American journal of case reports. 2026. DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.953537.
@article{j2026,
author = {Llerena-Velastegui J and Bermeo-Sevilla G and Nunez-Medina F and Zambrano-Herdoiza J and Jimbo-Sotomayor R and Sanchez X},
title = {Subcentimeter Ileal Neuroendocrine Tumor Resection for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding Followed by Pacemaker-Treated Sick Sinus Syndrome: A Case Report.},
journal = {The American journal of case reports},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.12659/AJCR.953537},
note = {PMID: 42668419},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Llerena-Velastegui J AU - Bermeo-Sevilla G AU - Nunez-Medina F AU - Zambrano-Herdoiza J AU - Jimbo-Sotomayor R AU - Sanchez X TI - Subcentimeter Ileal Neuroendocrine Tumor Resection for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding Followed by Pacemaker-Treated Sick Sinus Syndrome: A Case Report. T2 - The American journal of case reports PY - 2026 DO - 10.12659/AJCR.953537 AN - PMID:42668419 ER -
BACKGROUND Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) denotes recurrent hemorrhage after nondiagnostic bidirectional endoscopy. In overt presentations with suspected small-bowel origin, capsule endoscopy, deep enteroscopy, and multiphase computed tomographic enterography (CTE) can improve lesion detection and operative planning. However, subcentimeter small-intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (siNETs) may remain undetected unless cross-sectional imaging enables targeted exploration. CASE REPORT A 72-year-old man presented with 2 days of melena and vague abdominal discomfort in the absence of hematemesis, hematochezia, weight loss, focal pain, or carcinoid features. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were nondiagnostic. Multiphase CTE localized an 11×8 mm enhancing mural nodule in the distal small bowel. Diagnostic laparoscopy with conversion to a limited laparotomy and intraoperative enteroscopy enabled precise localization, segmental ileal resection with mesentery, primary anastomosis, and appendectomy. Pathology findings comprised a grade 1 siNET measuring 0.8×0.6 cm with subserosal invasion, negative margins, and metastasis in 1 of 2 lymph nodes (pT3 pN1, Ki-67 index 2%). The postoperative surgical course was uncomplicated; however, profound bradycardia with syncope unmasked sinus node dysfunction, requiring dual-chamber pacemaker implantation, after which the patient remained clinically stable. CONCLUSIONS In older patients with overt OGIB and negative bidirectional endoscopy, early multiphase CTE can identify a small hypervascular ileal lesion, guiding targeted intraoperative enteroscopy and oncologic resection. Because nodal metastasis may occur despite a subcentimeter primary tumor, resection should include appropriate mesenteric lymphadenectomy. Vigilant perioperative cardiac rhythm monitoring is warranted because clinically significant bradyarrhythmias may require permanent pacemaker implantation.