Ileal leiomyosarcoma as a cause of small bowel obstruction

Introduction Ileal leiomyosarcoma is unusual form of malignant gastrointestinal tumor. Often insidious in clinical presentation, it frequently presents a diagnostic challenge. Occasionally, a correct diagnosis is finally established due to an emergency situation. The aim of this study was to present the role of magnetic enterography in determining the precise cause of small bowel dilation. Case outline A 59-year-old female patient presented with small bowel obstruction. Erect abdominal radiograph identified the presence of small bowel obstruction and excluded pneumoperitoneum. A non-contrast computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis noted transitional zone in the region of terminal ileum with collapsed bowel lumen distal to the transitional point, without determined underlying cause. Magnetic resonance enterography observed obstructive intraluminal soft-tissue mass with fatty component sized up to 4 cm in the terminal ileum, with mesenteric involvement. The abdominal surgeon revealed ileal intraluminal tumor which affected the locoregional mesentery and serosa of the adjacent bowel. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis of ileal leiomyosarcoma with involvement of wall serosa and mesenteric fat tissue. Conclusion Magnetic resonance enterography is a reliable diagnostic tool for detection and diagnosis of malignant small bowel tumors. Sometimes, tumors manifest clinically as bowel obstruction. Surgical treatment is necessary, while histology and immunohistochemistry are crucial to confirm the diagnosis of small bowel leiomyosarcoma.