Neuroendocrine tumor originating in the gallbladder : a case in which EUS-FNA was diagnostically useful

A 67-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. Blood tests showed a slightly increased inflammatory reaction. Abdominal contrast CT revealed a solid tumor filling the lumen of the gallbladder, liver metastasis, and enlargement of the lymph nodes surrounding the celiac artery. Endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was performed on the gallbladder tumor. The pathological tissue diagnosis was neuroendocrine tumor. Systemic chemotherapy (CTP-11/CDDP) was initiated and shrinkage of the gallbladder tumor was observed. Neuroendocrine tumors originating in the gallbladder are rare and previously have only been diagnosed surgically. EUS-FNA is a promising diagnostic tool for diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors originating in the gallbladder. In this case, the EUS-FNA method enabled us to select appropriate systemic chemotherapy and obtain a good treatment outcome.