Intracranial chondroma: study of 30 cases

Abstract

Objective To study the clinical manifestations and diagnosis and treatment of intracranial chondroma. Method The clinical data of 30 cases of intracranial chondroma confirmed by pathology from Sep. 1996 to Jun. 2008, 12 males and 18 females, aged 35.4 (16～60), were analyzed retrospectively. Operations were performed on all 30 patients,5 cases underwent radiotherapy postoperatively. Results The tumor usually arise from the embryonic cartilaginous remnants of chondrogenic cells at the basilar synchondroses of the cranial base with a predilection for the parasellar region and middle fossa. The clinical manifestations included headache and injury of multiple cranialnerves. Imaging examination usually showed well-demarcated masses with calcifications in 60%～90% of the cases. The approaches of operation were selected according to the tumor position. Total resection was achieved in 11 cases, subtotal resection was achieved in 13 cases,and gross resection in 9 cases. 26 patients were followed up after operation for mean time 45.8 months. The follow up showed that recuperation was achieved in 21 cases, recurrence occurred in 3 cases,and 2 patients died. Conclusions It is difficult to remove the tumor totally. The curative efficacy of radiotherapy is not definite. It is difficult to differentiate chondroma from myxoma and chordoma by the clinical and neuroradiological manifestations. Pathology is still the main diagnosis means. Key words: Chondroma; Brain neoplasms; Microsurgery