[A difficult diagnosis]

Abstract

We describe the case of a patient suffering from relapsing abdominal pain and vomiting over 4 years, in whom various radiological and endoscopic examinations remained normal. CT scan and MRI eventually showed a mesenteric mass corresponding to metastasis of an ileal carcinoid; this tumor was diagnosed only at laparotomy as well as his mesenteric and hepatic metastases. The different localization and clinical manifestations of carcinoid tumours as well as the difficulties of radiological diagnosis of tumours of the small bowel are mentioned; the diagnostic value of sonography. CT-scan and MRI in the diagnosis of hepatic metastasis is discussed.