Small bowel obstruction caused by metastasis of nasal cavity basal cell adenocarcinoma

Abstract

We report the case of a 68-year-old male with mechanical small bowel obstruction complicated by metastasis of nasal cavity basal cell adenocarcinoma (BCAC). The initial presentation included intermittent abdominal cramping pain and postprandial vomiting. We performed diagnostic laparoscopy under the impression of small bowel obstruction and noticed a tumor located at the terminal ileum. Tumor excision and end-to-end intestinal anastomosis were performed, and pathology reports confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic BCAC. A literature review revealed that small bowel metastatic tumors are rarely caused by BCAC, and that distant metastases of BCAC are also rare. Being aware of this rare disease may lead to an earlier correct diagnosis of small bowel obstruction due to a metastatic tumor.