Keywords:
Head and neck, Oncology
Authors:
U. Müller1, R. A. Kubik-Huch1, C. Ares2, R. Löw1, E. B. Hug2; 1Baden/CH, 2Villigen/CH
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2010/C-1765
Results
The MR imaging of chordomas (Figure 1) and chondrosarcomas (Figure 2) at the skull base is quite variable as far as tumor volume, shape, MR signal homogeneity and contrast enhancement is concerned. In our study both tumor entities presented with a more or less lobulated shape. They usually showed T2w profound hyperintense signal intensities sometimes with hypointense septations (Figure 1) and T1w hypo- to isointense signal intensities to brain parenchyma. After contrast administration T1w no clear signal intensity pattern was observed within our groups of patients, contrast enhancement varied either in homogeneity and intensity. Altogether no significant difference in signal intensities, tumor volume or invasion was observed. Moreover surgical alterations were sometimes difficult to distinguish from residual or recurrent tumor; in all cases invasion of specific anatomic structures of the skull base was present; most commonly involved was the clivus (89%), followed by the cavernous sinus, the sella, the petrous bone, the sphenoid sinus, the cerebello-pontine angle and dural invasion.
At time of initial diagnosis, skull base chordomas were usually centrally located, sometimes slightly lateral of the midline at the spheno-occipital synchondrosis therefore limiting the MR definition of tumor origin. Chondrosarcomas were observed predominantly in the vicinity of the petro-occipital synchondrosis; overlap did occur.