Intradural Chordoma of Cerebellopontine Angle: Case Report and Review

Abstract

Background: Chordomas are rare, notochord-derived neoplasms. Of these tumors, intradural chordomas are exceedingly rare. Most occur within the prepontine, parasellar, or other midline intradural locations. An intradural chordoma arising from the cerebellopontine angle has not been described previously.

Case report: We describe the first case of an intradural chordoma originating from the left cerebellopontine angle resected over the course of 2 operations.

Conclusions: Intradural chordomas are rare and can arise anywhere in the posterior fossa. Lack of bony involvement on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are indicative of this pathology when there is also a lack of markers indicating the presence of more common cerebellopontine angle tumors. Treatment goals should include gross total resection and possible radiation therapy.

Keywords: Cerebellopontine angle; Chordoma; Intradural; Notochord; Tumor.