ABSTRACT
Chordomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system and primarily occur in the
extradural space. We report two patients with intracranial chordomas located in the
region of the clivus that invaded the prepontine cisterns. The patients, 45 and 62
years old, had histories of cranial neuropathies and headache, respectively. Petrosal
approaches were performed in both with radical resection of the tumors. Anatomopathological
studies confirmed the diagnosis of chordoma. The symptoms of both patients resolved,
and they have had no recurrence after 18 months of follow-up. Intradural chordomas
or extradural chordomas that invade the intradural space are difficult to differentiate
from ecchordoses physaliphorae, a non-neoplastic entity with similar radiological
features. MBI-1 studies were therefore performed to confirm the diagnosis of chordoma.
The differential diagnosis for these two entities, the different modalities of treatment,
and prognosis are reviewed.
KEYWORDS
Chordoma - intradural invasion - ecchordosis physaliphora - pre-sigmoid approach -
skull base tumor
