Cervical chordoma with vertebral artery encasement mimicking neurofibroma:MRI findings

A case of cervical chordoma in a 36-year-old white man with hypoesthesia in the neck and right shoulder, neck pain, and restricted neck mobility is pr esented. Plain radiographs of the cervical spine showed radiolucency of the body of C2 on the right side and enlargement of the right intervertebral f oramen at C2-C3 level. Tumor encasement of the vertebral artery was demonst rated by MR imaging and,confirmed by conventional arteriography. This prove d to be particularly important for preoperative assessment.