Intracranial chondroma of the falx cerebri: A rare case report with review of literature

Intracranial chondromas are extremely rare, benign slow-growing cartilaginous tumors mostly originating from embryonic rests at sphenoethmoidal region and sometimes can originate from the falx, convexity dura, the tentorium, the choroid plexus, or the brain parenchyma. In this article, we present a 22-year-old woman with a chondroma of dural origin. The clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings along with the operative findings and postoperative course are described as well as the pertinent literature regarding intracranial chondromas is reviewed.

Key-words:

Cartilaginous - falx - intracranial chondroma

Introduction

Intracranial chondroma is a rare entity of primary cerebral tumors. The incidence of these tumors is estimated as 0.2%–0.3%. It was first reported by Hirschfeld in 1851.[[1]] These tumors are benign slow growing and usually arise from the embryonic cartilaginous remnants with a predilection of the sphenoethmoidal region. These tumors can originate from the falx, convexity dura, the tentorium, the choroid plexus, or the brain parenchyma. Here, we present a case of chondroma of the falx cerebri with a review of the literature.

Case Report

A 22-year-old female patient presented to us with a history of episodic headache, vomiting, and absence seizures for 3 years operated elsewhere 1 year back and started having generalized tonic–clonic seizures following surgery which was poorly controlled on antiepileptic medications. She presented to us in an emergency following an episode of seizure in a drowsy state with left hemiparesis Grade 2 and bilateral papilledema. Her noncontrast computed tomography of the head was suggestive of large extra-axial mass lesion arising from the falx with cystic areas and foci of calcification and absence of the dural tail sign. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with contrast [[Figure 1]] revealed a large extra-axial mass in the bilateral anterior frontal regions (left > right) arising from both sides of the falx cerebri with both solid and cystic components without surrounding edema. The solid component was hypointense on T1-weighted (T1W) as well as on T2W with heterogeneous postcontrast enhancement. She underwent complete excision of the tumor which had cystic and solid components. The solid component was pearly white in color, hard candle wax like in consistency, avascular, and adhered to the surrounding arachnoid. Histopathology [[Figure 2]] showed mature hyaline cartilage with increased cellularity, no atypia, mitoses, or necrosis which was compatible with intracranial chondroma. The patient recovered and remained seizure free in the postoperative period. At follow-up after 21 months, her MRI showed no evidence of recurrence, and she remained seizure-free.

Figure 1: Radiological findings

Figure 2: (a-c) Photomicrographs of the tumor showing mature hyaline cartilage with increased cellularity without atypia, necrosis, or mitotic figure (H and E, x100 [a] and x400 [b and c])

Discussion

There are very few cases of intracranial chondroma of the falx cerebri have been reported yet. We are going to discuss many of them along with our case in [[Table 1]].

Table 1: Details of few reported cases along with our case

Table 1: Contd...

Review and Conclusion

Intracranial chondromas are slow-growing benign cartilaginous tumors. The incidence has been reported from 0.1% to 1% of intracranial tumors. These tumors occur at the base of the skull mostly, but convexity or falcine chondromas constituted 20% of all.[[2]] Intracranial chondromas may present as solitary lesions or as part of Ollier disease (multiple polysystemic enchondromatosis) or Maffucci syndrome (multiple enchondromatosis associated with soft-tissue angiomas).[[3]] These tumors usually occur in young adults with the peak incidence in the third decade; although, the age reported in the literature varies from 15 months to 60 years. There are many reports which showed slightly female preponderance, whereas other reports showed an equal rate of incidence in males and females.[[2]] Pathophysiological origin of chondromas arising from the convexity or the falx is controversial. The suggested hypotheses may be categorized into the following two basic groups: (1) the presence of ectopic chondrocytes, as a result of displacement into the meninges during early ontogenesis or in rare cases after traumatic brain injury and (2) chondroid metaplasia of meningeal connective tissue, such as meningeal fibroblasts or metaplasia of perivascular mesenchymal cells, possibly in connection with inflammation or trauma.[[3]],[[4]] Clinical presentation depends on the anatomical location, but a new-onset seizure was the presenting symptom in a large number of reported cases of convexity or falcine chondromas.[[2]],[[5]] Imaging characteristics are not pathognomonic, but Lacerte et al. proposed the classification of these tumors into two distinct types – Type I tumors classic and significantly more common pattern, the whole tumor appears isodense and homogeneous on a computed tomography scan and Type II tumors are characterized by the presence of hypodense central area constitutes a degenerative cyst frequently filled with a tan-colored fluid or a brownish jelly. These have lack of homogeneous enhancement and the absence of dural tail sign.[[6]] On MRI, these tumors appear as homogeneous isointense on T1W with a delayed or slight ring-like enhancement on postcontrast or mixed hyper/hypointensity masses on T2W images. Imaging features of chondromas and meningiomas are similar in many ways such as location, the presence of calcification, and hyperostosis. However, contrast enhancement in meningioma is intensely homogeneous, and chondromas do not show homogeneous enhancement and dural tail sign.[[2]] They usually lack surrounding tissue edema, and bright signal intensity is due to bone marrow elements. Angiography can sometimes help to differentiate these tumors as an intracranial chondroma should be avascular.[[2]],[[7]] Their diagnosis is usually determined by histological evaluation. Weng et al. in their case series of 66 patients retrospectively studied and concluded that the therapeutic strategy should be individualized in intracranial chondromas. If the tumor is resectable, gross total excision should be attempted, and in patients with partial resection and evident atypia/mitotic activity, radiotherapy should be recommended.[[8]],[[11]] Complete surgical excision results in excellent long-term outcome.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

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Publication History

Article published online:
09 September 2022