Suprasellar chordoid glioma

Brat et al. (J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 57:288-290, 1998) reported eight case s of a new clinico-pathological entity, which occurs mainly in the third ve ntricle of middle-aged females, which they described as chordoid glioma of the third ventricle. We report a new case of a 41-year-old woman with a sup rasellar chordoid glioma with histological, immunohistochemical and ultrast ructural studies. We discuss the differential diagnosis between chordoma, c hordoid meningioma, germinoma and pituitary adenoma. Histologically, the tu mour showed cords and lobules of isomorphic epithelioid cells in a vacuolat ed matrix with prominent multifocal lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in which some histiocytes and isolated Touton-type giant cells were seen; cells were immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein but negative for epithe lial membrane antigen. Ultrastructural examination revealed abundant interm ediate filament but no desmosomes, microvilli nor cilia were seen.