Hh. Oruckaptan et al., Parafalcine chondrosarcoma: An unusual localization for a classical variant - Case report and review of the literature, SURG NEUROL, 55(3), 2001, pp. 174-179
BACKGROUND
Intracranial chondroid tumors are infrequently seen in neurosurgical practi
ce. These tumors usually arise from cartilaginous synchondroses at the base
of the skull, but occasionally from the pluripotential mesenchymal cells o
f the meninges. We present here a case of classic low-grade giant chondrosa
rcoma of the fair cerebri. This is only the second case of this variant rep
orted in this location, and we summarize the diagnostic criteria with a bri
ef review of literature.
CASE REPORT
A 56-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with a history of
progressive right-sided weakness occurring in the last 8 months and a rece
nt grand mal seizure. Radiological evaluation demonstrated a large extra-ax
ial mass in the left parafalcine area, suggesting a possible meningioma. An
anterior interhemispheric approach enabled gross total removal of the tumo
r and a histologic diagnosis of a low-grade classic chondrosarcoma was made
. The patient is currently stable and has shown no evidence of recurrence i
n more than 3 years without any adjuvant treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Intracranial cartilaginous tumors include classical, mesenchymal and myxoid
chondrosarcomas in addition to benign chondromas. Parafalcine localization
should be considered for all these variants as well as for meningiomas, he
mangiopericytomas, solitary fibrous tumors, and meningeal metastatic carcin
omas. Detailed radiological evaluation, light microscopic and ultrastructur
al analyses, and immunocytochemistry are essential for correct diagnosis. I
n contrast to mesenchymal and myxoid types, the prognosis of classic varian
ts is usually good and does not require adjuvant treatment modalities if a
radical resection of the tumor can be obtained. Increased documentation of
clinical, radiological, and histologic findings as well as response to trea
tment modalities will provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology
of these rare tumors, and highlight the optimum treatment strategies (C) 2
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