• Weiqi Wu, Puying Gan, Qihua Xu, Yaohua Wang, and Hongfei Liao.
• Department of Ocular Oncology and Ocular Trauma, Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology of Jiangxi province.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Dec 4; 99 (49): e23502.

RationaleNeuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare malignancies that originate from the hormone-producing cells of the neuroendocrine system. They can grow in most organs of the body but are commonly found in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. The nasal cavity is a rare site for NECs.Patient ConcernsWe report a case of NECs in a 45-year-old woman who presented with epiphora in the right eye for a year owing to an unknown reason.DiagnosesThe diagnosis was initially confirmed via histological and immunohistochemical assays. Postoperatively, computed tomography of the neck revealed C4 vertebral bone metastasis.InterventionsThe tumor was endoscopically removed from the right eye. The patient received a full course of adjuvant polychemotherapy.OutcomesSix months after diagnosis, the patient died due to bone metastasis.LessonsDiagnosing nasal neuroendocrine carcinoma is clinically challenging. It must be distinguished from other orbital masses, such as chronic dacryocystitis or nasal polyps. The treatment should be further investigated for this rare malignancy in near future.

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