Intradural chondroma in the cervical spine: case report

J Neurosurg Spine. 2017 Feb;26(2):257-259. doi: 10.3171/2016.8.SPINE16152. Epub 2016 Oct 14.

Abstract

Chondromas are benign tumors that are rarely located in the spine. The authors present a rare occurrence of a spinal chondroma that developed as an intradural but extramedullary tumor in a 60-year-old woman. The location of the tumor at C4-5 was confirmed by MRI, with hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and isointensity on T1-weighted images. The tumor was completely contained intradurally, with no continuity to any vertebrae. It adhered to the anterior dura, indicative of its likely origin from the dura mater. The tumor was completely resected, with no sign of recurrence after 3 years postoperatively. Although reports of chondromas originating from the dura mater have been previously described, these have all been intracranial tumors. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an intradural chondroma located in the spine. Therefore, chondromas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intradural spinal tumors.

Keywords: cervical spine; chondroma; intradural tumor; oncology; spinal tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cancer Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Cancer Pain / pathology
  • Cancer Pain / surgery
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Chondroma / complications
  • Chondroma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Chondroma / pathology
  • Chondroma / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Neck Pain / pathology
  • Neck Pain / surgery
  • Spinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Neoplasms / surgery*