Summary
A report of eight cases of skull base chordoma is given and the related literature reviewed. From disappointing experience with incomplete tumour removal and radiation the conclusion is drawn, that radical tumour removal at the first attempt should be strived for, even if the operative risk seems to be high. Cavernous sinus invasion should not be a reason to omit operation. Loss of function of one eye appears to be justified if radical tumour removal can be achieved. Possibly, the operative strategy can be improved by combining a frontal transbasal with a frontotemporal subtemporal approach, thus creating a chance for preservation of oculomotor function even in patients whose tumour has invaded the cavernous sinus region.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chambers PW, Schwinn ChP (1979) Chordoma. A clinicopathologic study of metastasis. Am J Clin Pathol 72: 765–776
Cummings BJ, Esses S, Harwood AR (1982) The treatment of chordomas. Cancer Treat Rev 9: 299–311
Cummings BJ, Hodson DJ, Bush RS (1983) Chordoma: The results of megavoltage radiation therapy. Int J Radiation Oncology Biol Phys 9: 633–642
Derome PJ, Guiot O (1979) Surgical approaches to the sphenoidal and clivai areas. In: Krayenbühl H et (eds) Advances and technical standards in neurosurgery, vol 6. Springer, Wien New York, pp 101–136
Eriksson B, Gutenberg B, Kindblom LG (1981) Chordoma. A clinicopathologic and prognostic study of a Swedish National Series. Acta Orthop Scand 52: 49–58
Kamrin RP, Potanos JN, Pool JL (1964) An evaluation of the diagnosis and treatment of chordoma. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat 27: 157–165
Kindblom LG, Angerwall L (1975) Histochemical characterization of mucosubstances in bone and soft tissue tumors. Cancer 36: 985–994
Krayenbühl H, Yasargil MG (1975) Cranial chordomas. Progr neurol Surg, vol 6. Karger, Basel, pp 380–434
Mabrey RE (1932) Chordoma. A study of 150 cases. J Cancer 25: 501–517
Mikuz G, Mydla F, Gütter W (1977) Chordoma: ultrastructural, biochemical and cytophotometric findings. Beitr Path 161: 150–165
O'Neill P, Bell BA, Miller JD, Jacobson J, Guthrie W (1985) Fifty years of experience with chordomas in southeast Scotland. Neurosurgery 16: 166–179
Pardo-Mindan FJ, Guillen FJ, Villas C, Vasquez JJ (1981) A comparative ultrastructural study of chondrosarcoma, chordoid sarcoma, and chordoma. Cancer 47: 2611–2619
Pearlman AW, Friedman M (1970) Radical radiation therapy of chordoma. Am J Roentgen 108: 333–341
Saeger W, Lüdecke DK, Müller D, Grubel G (1983) Chordome des Clivus. Histologie, Ultrastruktur und Klinik. Tumordiagnostik und Therapie 4: 74–79
Utne JR, Pugh DG (1955) The roentgenologic aspects of chordoma. Am J Roentgen 74: 593–608
Virchow R (1857) Untersuchungen über die Entwicklung des Schädelgrundes im gesunden und krankhaften Zustande und über den Einflu\ derselben auf Schädelform, Gesichtsbildung und Gehirnbau. Reimer, Berlin
Weiss SW (1976) Ultrastructure of the so-called “chordoid sarcoma”. Evidence supporting cartilagenous differentiation. Cancer 37: 300–306
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Friedrich Loew on the occasion of his 65th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the Homburg Neurosurgical University Clinic, which has been founded and built up by him.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Arnold, H., Herrmann, H.D. Skull base chordoma with cavernous sinus involvement. Partial or radical tumour-removal?. Acta neurochir 83, 31–37 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01420505
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01420505