Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B diagnosed after small intestinal volvulus with progressive megacolon in an adolescent

Abstract

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by the presence of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, Marfan-like fatigue, a peculiar face with thickening of the lips, mucosal neuromas on the lips and tongue, and gastrointestinal phenomena. Most patients harbor pathological variants of the RET gene. Herein, we present the first case of a 14 year-old boy who experienced small intestinal volvulus along with a megacolon, and he was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. The patient complained of constipation since he was 2 years old and slowly progressive abdominal distension at school age. At 14 years of age, he presented with remarkable megacolon mimicking Hirschsprung’s disease and complicated with small intestinal volvulus. The volvulus was successfully repaired, and the particularly dilated transverse colon was resected following a rectal biopsy. Histopathological evaluation of the resected transverse colon revealed to be compatible with ganglioneuromatosis. After emergency surgery, the patient was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B with medullary thyroid carcinoma, and a de novo variant of RET was confirmed. Gastroenterologists should consider it when treating patients with constipation, especially those with megacolon. Therefore, timely diagnosis may lead to appropriate treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma and improve mortality.