Temporal Bone Chondroblastoma: Systematic Review of Clinical Features and Outcomes

Skull base chondroblastoma presenting as a deep lobe parotid tumour

Chondroblastomas are rare, benign cartilage-producing primary bone tumours that account for 1% of all primary bone tumours. They are usually seen in young adult males and affect long tubulous bones such as the femur or humerus. Occurrences in non-tubular flat bones such as the craniofacial skeleton do occur but are seen in older adults. With only around 100 cases reported in the English literature, 'Temporal Bone Chondroblastomas' can present a diagnostic challenge for both surgeon and histopathologist. Clinical presentation can be subtle and patients may have longstanding symptoms due to compression of surrounding structures. Imaging in the form of contrast CT and/or MRI is recommended to assess size, proximity to neurovascular structures and plan operative approach. Definitive treatment is surgical excision, with radiotherapy reserved for recurrence or unfit surgical patients. Long-term follow-up is recommended for surveillance due to high recurrence rates. We present our experience managing this rare entity.