Pulmonary carcinoid tumor presenting with simultaneous orbital and intracranial metastases: value of transnasal endoscopic orbital biopsy and decompression

Abstract

A 62-year-old woman presented with a 10-week history of blurred vision in the left eye. Examination revealed mild limitation of upgaze of the left eye and evidence of a left optic neuropathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enhancing mass in the posteromedial left orbit as well as an enhancing lesion in the inferior occipital lobe. The patient underwent a left orbital biopsy and partial decompression via a left nasal endoscopic approach, following which the optic neuropathy improved significantly. Histopathologic examination yielded a diagnosis of carcinoid tumor. Biopsy of the occipital lesion was also consistent with this diagnosis. The primary tumor was found in the lungs.