Cervical chordoma presenting as retropharyngeal mass and dysphonia: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Chordoma is a rare primary bone tumour that presents with signs and symptoms of local compression and myelopathy. A case of C4 chordoma with unusual clinical and imaging features is presented. The diagnosis of chordoma requires clinical, radiological and pathological correlation. Clinical features may include laryngeal symptoms arising from distortion of local anatomy. Characteristic tumour appearance and distribution on imaging plays a key role in diagnosis and management of this slow growing tumour with potential for major surgical morbidity.