Abstract
Chordomas are known by primary malign tumors that have formed from primitive notochord remains and exhibit different epithelial properties. Morphologically these cells have distinct borders; the nucleus displays a monotony and blandness. It was found few cases of pleomorphism, atypia, anaplasia and hipercromatic nuclei. Vacuoles were seen in the cytoplasm. This study was realized during January 1995 until June 2005, with 22 surgeries of chordomas and intraoperative crush. The background was dirty with myxoid appearance, myxoid matrix growing in sheets or cord and had vacuoles showed more evidence of physaliferous cells. Chondroid chordoma showed vacuolated cells as well as other cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and myxoid background. Single cells were observed only in two cases and high cellularity was observed in 8(42%) cases. Two cases were frank errors, only one had a partial correlation. The percentage of mistakes was 30% and our diagnosis accuracy was 70%. The correlation with clinical details and radiological findings were helpful in improving the accuracy rate. There was no differentiation between cytomorphological features smear of intracranial tumours and the sacrococcygeal location. Intraoperative analysis of chordomas could be helpful to have a good diagnosis and to have a better surgical resection.
Highlights
Chordomas are a type of tumors which originate from the remnants of the notochord
We retrospectively reviewed 22 cases from patients diagnosed by crush intraoperative smear of chordoma focusing on the cytomorphological features of the tumors
The method was provided reliable in the past with an accuracy rate of 95% [7]
Summary
Chordomas are a type of tumors which originate from the remnants of the notochord. Chordomas represent 1-4% of all primary malignant bone tumors [1]. It is constituted 5% of all neoplasms and 86% of bone tumors [2]. The chordomas can occur anywhere along the vertebral column. Chordomas are rarely observed in children or adolescents. Men are affected more frequently than women [1]. Chordoma it is considered as an intermediate grade malignant bone tumour [3], as low tendency to metastasis and has a poor prognosis in long-term follow-up. Metastases are seen in 5–40% of chordoma cases [2,3]
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