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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2022; 83(04): 388-390
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1720990
Case Report

Spontaneous Regression of a Clival Chordoma: An Unusual Case Report

Eduardo de Arnaldo Silva Vellutini
1   DFV Neuro, São Paulo, Brazil
2   Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Aldo Eden Cassol Stamm
2   Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, Brazil
3   Department of Neurosurgery, Center of Otorhinolaryngology and Speech and Hearing Therapy of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Matheus Fernandes de Oliveira
1   DFV Neuro, São Paulo, Brazil
2   Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract

Introduction Chordoma is a malignant and aggressive tumor originating from remnants of the primitive notochord and usually involving the axial skeleton. Spontaneous regression of clival chordomas was described recently. We present the third case report of spontaneous regression of a clival chordoma and discuss similarities of cases and implications for clinical practice.

Case Description We present the case of a previously healthy 21-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with progressive holocranial headache for 3 months, which encouraged image investigation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an osteolytic clival lesion hyperintense in T2 and hypointense in T1 images. After 2 months of initial evaluation and surgical proposal, she repeated MRI to allow use for intraoperative neuronavigation. Surprisingly, there was tumor regression.

Discussion The present reported case is somehow different from previous ones and does not share an underlying inflammatory/immunological recognizable fact, being interpreted by us as a spontaneous partial regression of the tumor. We highlight the need for continuous investigation of chordoma regression to uncover the underlying mechanisms.

Keywords

brain neoplasm - chordoma - regression - clivus - recurrence


Publication History

Received: 13 May 2020

Accepted: 25 August 2020

Article published online:
22 February 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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