Multiple craniocervical chordomas presenting as a parapharyngeal mass.

Abstract

Chordomas are malignant neoplasms of the axial skeleton that have rarely been seen in the cervical area. A 55-year-old woman presented to our department with a history of a left cervical mass protruding into the throat with the symptoms of dysphagia and hoarseness. The radiological examination revealed 3 polycyclic masses in the neck, 2 on the left side and 1 small mass on the right side. After the neurosurgical excision of the intraspinal parts of the tumor, we performed the surgical resection of the cervical tumors via a lateral collotomy. The histological examination showed a chordoma. Because of the advanced stage of the tumor, a postoperative radiotherapy was performed. Meticulous radiological workup is essential in order to identify the exact extension of the tumor and to reveal possible multifocal lesions. The current literature and treatment recommendations for this rare tumor at this localization are discussed.