Chordoma in the jugular foramen area: a review of 16 cases

Abstract

Objective To analysis the clinical characteristics,surgical treatment and outcome of chordoma in the jugular foramen area.Methods The author retrospectively studied data from 16 patients with chordoma in the jugular foramen area who had undergone surgeries in the department of skullbase and brain stem of Beijing Tiantan Hospital between January 2006 and June 2011,and follow-up was performed through recheck in out-patient department,telephone and letter.Results There are 8 females and 8 males in this group and all of them underwent surgical procedures.The mean age is 39-year-old and the mean symptomatic history time was 18.3 months.The main clinical presentation is paralysis of the lower cranial nerves (Ⅸ,Ⅹ and Ⅺ,12 cases),6 patients also suffered from deficits in cranial nerve Ⅷ,other presentations are deficits in eyesight (4 cases),ataxia (3 cases),numbness of limbs (2 cases),facial paralysis (2 cases) and deficits of abducent nerve (1 case).Far lateral approach was used in 10 cases,retrosigmoidsuboccipital approach was used in 2 cases,infratemporal trans-tentorium of cerebellum approach in 2 cases and expanded middle cranial fossa approach in 2 cases.Gross total removal was achivevd in 5 cases,subtotal removal in 10 cases and partial resection 1 case.The pathologic type of 5 cases in this group is typical chordoma,and other 11 cases are chondroid chordoma.Follow-up revealed obvious improvement in 5 cases,permanent paralysis of the lower cranial nerves in 7 cases and facial paralysis in 1 case.Conclusions The main clinical presentation of patients with jugular foramen chordoma is paralysis of the lower cranial nerves and the main pathology of the chordoma in this area is chondroid type,choosing an appropriate approach and the protection of lower cranial nerve are important for a good prognosis. Key words: Chordoma; Jugular foramen; Cranial nerve palsy