Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Clival Chordomas

Abstract

Chordomas of the clivus are aggressive lesions which arise from the remnants of the primitive notochord and pose unique diagnostic and management challenges. Radical resection of chordomas has been recommended for better outcomes and their surgical treatment has been challenging to neurosurgeons for many years. Transbasal, orbitozygomatic, subtemporal,transcondylar, transmaxillary, and extended transsphenoidal techniques have been proposed. We report a case of clival chordoma treated by endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal approach.