Sinonasal neuro endocrine carcinoma extending into orbit — a case report

Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas of the Sinonasal tract are extremely uncommon and distinct neoplasms with aggressive clinical behavior. They have similar morphological and immunohistochemical features to those of small cell carcinomas of the lung. They should be distinguished from Olfactory Neuroblastomas. We report a case of this rare entity. A 46-year-old woman presented with a history of injury to the right eye with facial pain and proptosis as the primary symptoms. Later she developed nasal stuffiness. C.T. Scan revealed a space occupying lesion in the right nostril extending into ethmoid sinus and orbit. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was done with decompression of the orbit. The biopsy material was obtained from ethmoid sinus and orbit. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen along with Immunohistochemical stains confirmed a Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma. Patient was treated with Radiotherapy and chemotherapy and responded well.