INTRACRANIAL CHONDROMYXOID FIBROMA - REPORT OF A CASE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Chondromyxoid fibroma is an unusual benign tumor of cartilaginous deri vation. We describe a rare example of chondromyxoid fibroma of the fro ntal-sphenoid junction with orbital infiltration in a 35-year-old Hisp anic woman who presented with frontal headaches, Gross total excision was performed. The excised mass was composed of neoplastic cells with chondrocytic features within a myxoid matrix. Bony infiltration was pr esent without infiltration of dura mater or brain tissue. The lack of mitotic activity, low cell density, lack of nuclear pleomorphism, and a fused lobular architectural pattern indicated that the lesion was a chondromyxoid fibroma. The lack of hyaline cartilage helped differenti ate the lesion from enchondroma. Our case demonstrates the uncommon oc currence of intracranial chondromyxoid fibroma with orbital infiltrati on. When faced with an intracranial chondrocytic tumor, it is importan t to distinguish this neoplasm from enchondroma and chondrosarcoma.