Brain Tumor Res Treat.  2014 Oct;2(2):92-95. 10.14791/btrt.2014.2.2.92.

A Case of Giant Skull Base Chondroma

• Heo J
• Cho SJ

• KMID: 2134278
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14791/btrt.2014.2.2.92

Abstract

Intracranial chondroma is a rare benign tumor. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female who was afflicted with left eye blindness and ptosis. Brain computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of a giant calcified mass accompanied by a solid mass in the middle and posterior fossa. A differential diagnosis regarding chordoma, chondrosarcoma, and other chondroid tumors based on radiologic information was inconclusive. The lesion was resected completely under a microscope using a combined pterional and subtemporal approach. The pathologic report confirmed the diagnosis of chondroma. No evidence of neurological worsening was observed. The tumor had a calcified mass with mature hyaline cartilage surrounded by a thick fibrous capsule. We dissected the periphery of the tumor mass and removed it via aspiration. It was readily distinguished from normal brain parenchymal tissue. The large calcified mass at the center of the tumor had relatively high vascularity, and a high-speed drill and various rongeurs were used to remove the tumor.

Keyword

Chondroma; Skull base neoplasms; Intracranial tumor; Clivus

MeSH Terms

Adult
Blindness
Brain
Chondroma*
Chondrosarcoma
Chordoma
Cranial Fossa, Posterior
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Hyaline Cartilage
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Skull Base Neoplasms
Skull Base*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A 29-year-old female presented with left-side ptosis and a fixed eyeball.

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  Fig. 2 Computed tomography (CT) revealed a giant high density lesion in the central protion of the mass indicating dense calcification (A and B). Gadolinium-enhanced axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a solitary mass in the prepontine cistern extending to the suprasellar cistern. The lesion showed heterogeneous nonenhancement following the intravenous administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent. No evidence of peritumoral edema was observed (C, D, and E).

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  Fig. 3 A Gross specimen consisting of a large calcified mass was obtained from the center of the tumor.

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  Fig. 4 Postoperative MRI showed that the lesion was completely resected.

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  Fig. 5 Histological findings. It shows lobular paucicellular proliferation of tumor cells on the myxochondroid background. Each cell has a small hyperchromatic nucleus without atypism.

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