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Romano F, Amadori E, Madia F, Severino M, Capra V, Rizzo R, Barone R, Corradi B, Maragliano L, Shams Nosrati MS, Falace A, Striano P, Zara F, Scala M. Case Report: Novel biallelic moderately damaging variants in RTTN in a patient with cerebellar dysplasia. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1326552. [PMID: 38178912 PMCID: PMC10764497 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1326552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Rotatin, encoded by the RTTN gene, is a centrosomal protein with multiple, emerging functions, including left-right specification, ciliogenesis, and neuronal migration. Recessive variants in RTTN are associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly and malformations of cortical development known as "Microcephaly, short stature, and polymicrogyria with seizures" (MSSP, MIM #614833). Affected individuals show a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations like intellectual disability, poor/absent speech, short stature, microcephaly, and congenital malformations. Here, we report a subject showing a distinctive neuroradiological phenotype and harboring novel biallelic variants in RTTN: the c.5500A>G, p.(Asn1834Asp), (dbSNP: rs200169343, ClinVar ID:1438510) and c.19A>G, p.(Ile7Val), (dbSNP: rs201165599, ClinVar ID:1905275) variants. In particular brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a peculiar pattern, with cerebellar hypo-dysplasia, and multiple arachnoid cysts in the lateral cerebello-medullary cisterns, in addition to left Meckel cave. Thus, we compare his phenotypic features with current literature, speculating a possible role of newly identified RTTN variants in his clinical picture, and supporting a relevant variability in this emerging condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferruccio Romano
- Genomics and Clinical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Amadori
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università Degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Child Neuropsichiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Madia
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Capra
- Genomics and Clinical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Renata Rizzo
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Barone
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Beatrice Corradi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Maragliano
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Falace
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università Degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università Degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università Degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Forst DA, Jones PS. Skull Base Tumors. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2023; 29:1752-1778. [PMID: 38085897 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article reviews the presenting features, molecular characteristics, diagnosis, and management of selected skull base tumors, including meningiomas, vestibular schwannomas, pituitary neuroendocrine tumors, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas, ecchordosis physaliphora, chondrosarcomas, esthesioneuroblastomas, and paragangliomas. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Skull base tumors pose a management challenge given their complex location and, as a result, the tumors and treatment can result in significant morbidity. In most cases, surgery, radiation therapy, or both yield high rates of disease control, but the use of these therapies may be limited by the surgical accessibility of these tumors and their proximity to critical structures. The World Health Organization classification of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors was updated in 2022. Scientific advances have led to an enhanced understanding of the genetic drivers of many types of skull base tumors and have revealed several potentially targetable genetic alterations. This information is being leveraged in the design of ongoing clinical trials, with the hope of rendering these challenging tumors treatable through less invasive and morbid measures. ESSENTIAL POINTS Tumors involving the skull base are heterogeneous and may arise from bony structures, cranial nerves, the meninges, the sinonasal tract, the pituitary gland, or embryonic tissues. Treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach, with participation from radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, neuro-oncologists, and surgical specialists, including neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, and head and neck surgeons. Treatment has largely centered around surgical resection, when feasible, and the use of first-line or salvage radiation therapy, with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or both considered in selected settings. Our growing understanding of the molecular drivers of these diseases may facilitate future expansion of pharmacologic options to treat skull base tumors.
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Alzahrani Y. A Rare Case of Benign Long-Standing Ecchordosis Physaliphora. Cureus 2023; 15:e49490. [PMID: 38152814 PMCID: PMC10752251 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecchordosis physaliphora (EP) is a rare benign lesion arising from embryonic notochordal remnants, typically located in the retroclival region. This case report presents a 46-year-old male patient experiencing intermittent headaches and occipital pain. Imaging revealed a well-defined, smoothly corticated bony lesion on the left side of the clivus, accompanied by a characteristic bony stalk devoid of any aggressive features. A review of the patient's medical records indicated stable imaging findings of the lesion over six years. Clinicians and radiologists should be familiar with EP as a benign entity and differentiate it from aggressive pathologies.
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Xiao Y, Yu W, Zheng J, Cheng L, Ding X, Qiao L, Wu X, Ma J. Bibliometric Insights in Advances of Chordoma: Global Trends and Research Development in the Last Decade. Orthop Surg 2023; 15:2505-2514. [PMID: 37580859 PMCID: PMC10549828 DOI: 10.1111/os.13831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare tumor, but has a serious effect on the quality of life of patients. This study aims to assess the overall knowledge structure and trends in the development of chordoma research using a bibliometric analysis and visualization tool. Research datasets were acquired from the Web of Science. VOS viewer and CiteSpace visualization software were used to demonstrate collaborations and correlations. Annual trends in publications, distribution, H-index status, co-authorship status, and research hotspots were analyzed. A total of 1844 publications from 2012 to 2022 were included. The number of chordoma-related publications increased year by year. The United States contributed the most publications (717) and had the highest total citations (10130) and H-index (50), followed by China. The United States was also the country most frequently involved in international cooperation. The most productive organization involved in chordoma research was Massachusetts General Hospital. World Neurosurgery (114) published the most papers on chordoma. Hornicek FJ was the most productive author over the last decade (41). Initially, diagnosis and the location of onset captured the attention of the research society. Quality of life, risk factors, disability, minimally invasive surgical techniques, molecular targeted therapy, and radiotherapy technology are the research hotspots in recent years. Indeed, this study provides important insights into the overall landscape of chordoma research and also contributes to the further investigation of the international frontier of chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xiao
- Longhua HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Wenlong Yu
- Longhua HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jianhu Zheng
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineJinanChina
| | - Lin Cheng
- Longhua HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xing Ding
- Longhua HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Liang Qiao
- Shanghai East HospitalTongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xuequn Wu
- Longhua HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Junming Ma
- Longhua HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
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Mertens K, Vanhoenacker FM. Imaging of the Craniocervical Junction: A Pictorial Review. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2023; 27:499-511. [PMID: 37816358 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The craniocervical junction (CCJ) is a complex anatomical structure comprising the occiput, the atlas, and the axis. The CCJ plays an important role in maintaining stability, providing protection, and supporting neurovascular structures. The CCJ can be affected by a wide range of congenital variants and traumatic, degenerative, inflammatory, and tumoral pathologies. This pictorial review the normal anatomy of the CCJ and presents the most common anatomical variants and pathologic conditions affecting the CCJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Mertens
- Department of Radiology, UZ Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, AZ Sint-Maarten, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Filip M Vanhoenacker
- Department of Radiology, UZ Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, AZ Sint-Maarten, Mechelen, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, UZ Gent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, UZ Antwerpen, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
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Gupta RK, Reddy TA, Gupta A, Samant R, Perez CA, Haque A. An Ecchordosis Physaliphora, a Rare Entity, Involving the Central Nervous System: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Neurol Int 2023; 15:1200-1211. [PMID: 37873832 PMCID: PMC10594460 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint15040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecchordosis physaliphora (EP) is a benign notochordal remnant, which is often an incidental finding; however, it can rarely present with neurological symptoms. We performed a systematic review of the literature for cases of symptomatic EP published in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase from January 1982 to May 2023. This is the largest review to date and revealed 60 cases including ours. Headache (55%) and CSF rhinorrhea (32%) were the most frequent clinical manifestations. The majority of symptomatic EP lesions were located in the prepontine region (77%) and required surgical resection (75%). EP should be considered in patients with neurologic symptoms in the setting of prepontine or posterior sphenoid sinus lesions. While symptomatic patients often require surgical intervention, rare cases may respond to oral corticosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K. Gupta
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thejasvi A. Reddy
- McGovern Medical School, UT Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA (A.H.)
| | - Ashutosh Gupta
- McGovern Medical School, UT Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA (A.H.)
| | - Rohan Samant
- Department of Radiology, UT Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Carlos A. Perez
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Anam Haque
- McGovern Medical School, UT Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA (A.H.)
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Alsavaf MB, Salem EH, Jawad BA, Mongkolkul K, Carrau RL, Prevedello DM. A rare case of multifocal chordoma involving the lower clivus and multiple spine levels: illustrative case. JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY. CASE LESSONS 2023; 6:CASE23177. [PMID: 37728313 PMCID: PMC10555553 DOI: 10.3171/case23177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chordomas are rare bone tumors originating from notochord remnants with a predilection for the median axis of the body, primarily in the sacrococcygeal spine, skull base, and cervical spine. This paper presents the first reported case of simultaneous multilevel chordomas with various enhancements. OBSERVATIONS A 40-year-old woman presented with right-sided otalgia, headache, nasal obstruction, and facial pressure. The patient's head and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a midline lesion in the clivus, C2, and T1-5 spinal levels. All lesions were T1 isointense and T2 hyperintense, consistent with chordoma. Interestingly, the clivus lesion was enhancing, whereas the C2 lesion was only slightly enhancing, and the rest of the lesions showed no enhancement. The patient underwent endoscopic endonasal transclival approach surgery for the clival lesion, followed by radiation to the surgical bed and the C2 lesion. The remaining lesions were monitored. Follow-up imaging showed stable disease in the C2 lesion and other lower lesions. The patient's severe pain in the posterior cervical spine was managed with cervical fusion, pain management, and physical therapy. LESSONS This case underscores the importance of comprehensive spinal MRI in patients with chordomas, as multiple concurrent primaries may be present. The article summarizes the fundamental distinctions between ecchordosis physaliphora and chordoma and casts doubt on the capacity to always differentiate them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Bilal Alsavaf
- Departments of1Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and
- 2Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Eman H Salem
- 3Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; and
| | - Basit A Jawad
- Departments of1Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and
| | - Kittichai Mongkolkul
- 4Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, The College of Medicine of Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ricardo L Carrau
- Departments of1Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and
- 2Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Daniel M Prevedello
- Departments of1Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and
- 2Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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Battal B, Zamora C. Imaging of Skull Base Tumors. Tomography 2023; 9:1196-1235. [PMID: 37489465 PMCID: PMC10366931 DOI: 10.3390/tomography9040097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The skull base provides a platform for supporting the brain while serving as a conduit for major neurovascular structures. In addition to malignant lesions originating in the skull base, there are many benign entities and developmental variants that may simulate disease. Therefore, a basic understanding of the relevant embryology is essential. Lesions centered in the skull base can extend to the adjacent intracranial and extracranial compartments; conversely, the skull base can be secondarily involved by primary extracranial and intracranial disease. CT and MRI are the mainstay imaging methods and are complementary in the evaluation of skull base lesions. Advances in cross-sectional imaging have been crucial in the management of patients with skull base pathology, as this represents a complex anatomical area that is hidden from direct clinical exam. Furthermore, the clinician must rely on imaging studies for therapy planning and to monitor treatment response. It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of skull base anatomy and its various pathologies, as well as to recognize the appearance of treatment-related changes. In this review, we aim to describe skull base tumors and tumor-like lesions in an anatomical compartmental approach and present imaging methods that aid in diagnosis, management, and follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Battal
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Carlos Zamora
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Stuebe CM, Rindler RS, Laack N, Carr CM, Choby G, Inwards CY, Van Gompel JJ. Evaluation of Long-Term Follow-Up in Ecchordosis Physaliphora versus Chordoma. World Neurosurg 2023; 174:157-168. [PMID: 36898627 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ecchordosis physaliphora (EP) is a non-neoplastic notochord remnant with limited literature. We present a review on surgically resected clival EP to evaluate if available follow-up is adequate to distinguish EP from chordomas. METHODS A systematic literature review was completed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Case reports or series of adults with histopathologic and radiographic findings of surgically resected EP were included. Articles including pediatric patients, systematic reviews, chordomas, and without microscopic or radiographic confirmation, or the surgical approach, were excluded. Corresponding authors were contacted twice to further evaluate outcomes. RESULTS Eighteen articles were included (n = 25 patients; mean age 47.5 years ± 12.6 [standard deviation] months). All patients had symptomatic, surgically resected EP, with cerebrospinal fluid leak or rhinorrhea the most common symptom (48%). All but 3 had gross total resection, with endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal transclival the most common approach (80%). All but 3 reported immunohistochemistry findings, with physaliphorous cells the most common. All but 5 patients had definitive follow-up (80%), with average of 19.5 ± 17.2 months. One corresponding author reported longer-term follow-up for 1 patient (57 months). No recurrence or malignant transformation was reported. Mean time to clival chordoma recurrence (53.9 ± 26.8 months) was also evaluated in a review of 8 studies. CONCLUSIONS Mean follow-up for resected EP was almost 3 times shorter than mean time to recurrence of chordomas. Available literature is likely inadequate to confirm the suspected benign nature of EP especially in reference to chordoma, precluding treatment and follow-up recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caren M Stuebe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Rima S Rindler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nadia Laack
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Carrie M Carr
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Garret Choby
- Department of Otolaryngology (ENT)/Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Carrie Y Inwards
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Castello Ruiz MJ, Alsavaf MB, Fadel M, Salem EH, Mongkolkul K, Naksen P, Godil SS, Otto BA, Carrau RL, Prevedello DM. Spontaneous rhinorrhea: a possible concealing initial symptom of ecchordosis physaliphora. Illustrative case. JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY. CASE LESSONS 2023; 5:CASE236. [PMID: 37014027 PMCID: PMC10550575 DOI: 10.3171/case236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spontaneous rhinorrhea may be the initial manifestation of ecchordosis physaliphora (EP). There are currently 47 published cases of symptomatic EP, with spontaneous rhinorrhea being one of the most prevalent symptoms. The authors report 1 case as a cause of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula. OBSERVATIONS A 46-year-old woman presented to the authors' clinic with meningitis secondary to nasal CSF leakage. The computed tomography (CT) scan indicated an imperceptibly thin/dehiscent focus along the posterior wall of the sphenoid air cell's midline. A tumor was identified during endoscopic endonasal CSF repair surgery. EP was diagnosed in the frozen and final pathology. LESSONS EP should be considered as a potential cause of spontaneous rhinorrhea. This initial clinical manifestation accounts for 35% of symptomatic EP cases. The prepontine and posterior sphenoid sinus wall appear to be the locations with the highest susceptibility. Surgical therapy of the fistula without excision of the lesion may result in insufficient issue resolution and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Bilal Alsavaf
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Michael Fadel
- Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman H. Salem
- Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Kittichai Mongkolkul
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, The College of Medicine of Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pakjira Naksen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand; and
| | - Saniya S. Godil
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Bradley A. Otto
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ricardo L. Carrau
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Daniel M. Prevedello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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Alsavaf MB, Prevedello DM. Letter: Chordoma and Ecchordosis Physaliphora: Two Sides of the Same Coin. Neurosurgery 2023; 92:e116-e117. [PMID: 36877027 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Bilal Alsavaf
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel M Prevedello
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Sarkar N, Chakravarthy S, Chakravarty R, Mukhopadhyay S. Radiological Diagnosis of a Rare Prepontine Lesion: Ecchordosis Physaliphora. Cureus 2022; 14:e24335. [PMID: 35607584 PMCID: PMC9123648 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecchordosis physaliphora (EP) is a notochordal remnant tissue rarely encountered during routine clinical practice. These lesions usually do not produce any significant symptoms as they are slow-growing and mostly small in size. Symptoms are due to mass effects on adjacent structures when they are large or extra-tumoral hemorrhage. Because of histological similarity with chordoma, diagnosis is challenging, and this differentiation is essential as the disease course and treatment differ significantly. Imaging plays a crucial role in identifying and distinguishing these lesions. We report the case of a 16-year-old male who presented with intermittent headache and neck pain for six months. His routine clinical examinations were within normal limits. On neurological assessment, there was no focal neurodeficit. Evaluation of cranial nerves did not reveal any evidence of palsy. Routine hematological tests were also normal. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain revealed a mass in front of the pons. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for further evaluation revealed a T1 hypointense and T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintense lesion in the pre-pontine cistern. There was no enhancement in the mass either in the post-contrast CT or MRI scans. There was no bony erosion and clivus was normal. Based on the location and characteristic imaging features, a diagnosis of EP was made. There may be several other lesions that may present as a mass in the pre-pontine region. Histopathological tests may find it difficult to distinguish between lesions that originate from notochord remnants. Imaging studies play a vital role in confirming the diagnosis and help in planning treatment and follow-up.
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