Chondromyxoid Fibroma of the Skull Base Invading the Occipitocervical Junction: Report of a Unique Case and Discussion

ABSTRACT

Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a rare bone tumor representing less than 1% of total bone neoplasms. It is a slow-growing, locally destructive tumor that usually affects the metaphyseal region of long bones. The occurrence of this tumor in the skull base or cervical spine is exceptionally rare. We present the first case of CMF originating in the clivus and extending into the atlas and discuss the surgical management of this case.

KEYWORDS

Chondromyxoid fibroma - skull base - cervical spine - stabilization

REFERENCES

• 1 Jaffe H L, Lichtenstein L. Chondromyxoid fibroma of bone; a distinctive benign tumour likely to be mistaken for chondrosarcoma.  Arch Pathol (Chic). 1948;  45 541-551
• 2 Budny A M, Ismail A, Osher L. Chondromyxoid fibroma.  J Foot Ankle Surg. 2008;  47 153-159
• 3 Otto B A, Jacob A, Klein M J, Welling D B. Chondromyxoid fibroma of the temporal bone: case report and review of the literature.  Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2007;  116 922-927
• 4 Bala A, Robbins P, Knuckey N, Wong G, Lee G. Spinal chondromyxoid fibroma of C2.  J Clin Neurosci. 2006;  13 140-146
• 5 Keel S B, Bhan A K, Liebsch N J, Rosenberg A E. Chondromyxoid fibroma of the skull base: a tumor which may be confused with chordoma and chondrosarcoma. A report of three cases and review of the literature.  Am J Surg Pathol. 1997;  21 577-582
• 6 Bloom K K, Ellen J, Kaye D. Occipital neuralgia and twelfth nerve palsy from a chondromyxoid fibroma.  J Ky Med Assoc. 2004;  102 255-258
• 7 Patino-Cordoba J I, Turner J, McCarthy S W, Fagan P. Chondromyxoid fibroma of the skull base.  Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1998;  118(3 Pt 1) 415-418
• 8 Benson W R, Bass Jr S. Chondromyxoid fibroma; first report of occurrence of this tumor in vertebral column.  Am J Clin Pathol. 1955;  25 1290-1292
• 9 Standefer M, Hardy Jr R W, Marks K, Cosgrove D M. Chondromyxoid fibroma of the cervical spine—a case report with a review of the literature and a description of an operative approach to the lower anterior cervical spine.  Neurosurgery. 1982;  11 288-292
• 10 Provelegios S, Markakis P, Markaki S. Chondromyxoid fibroma with spinal cord compression.  Neuro-orthopedics. 1988;  6 49-52
• 11 Rivierez M, Richard S, Pradat P, Devred C. [Chondromyxoid fibroma of the cervical spine. Apropos of a case treated by partial vertebrectomy].  Neurochirurgie. 1991;  37 264-268
• 12 Lopez-Ben R, Siegal G P, Hadley M N. Chondromyxoid fibroma of the cervical spine: case report.  Neurosurgery. 2002;  50 409-411
• 13 Jonathan A, Rajshekhar V, Chacko G. Chondromyxoid fibroma of the seventh cervical vertebra.  Neurol India. 2008;  56 84-87
• 14 Schajowicz F, Gallardo H. Chondromyxoid fibroma (fibromyxoid chondroma) of bone. A clinico-pathological study of thirty-two cases.  J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1971;  53 198-216
• 15 Wu C T, Inwards C Y, O'Laughlin S, Rock M G, Beabout J W, Unni K K. Chondromyxoid fibroma of bone: a clinicopathologic review of 278 cases.  Hum Pathol. 1998;  29 438-446
• 16 Zillmer D A, Dorfman H D. Chondromyxoid fibroma of bone: thirty-six cases with clinicopathologic correlation.  Hum Pathol. 1989;  20 952-964
• 17 Tarhan N C, Yologlu Z, Tutar N U, Coskun M, Agildere A M, Arikan U. Chondromyxoid fibroma of the temporal bone: CT and MRI findings.  Eur Radiol. 2000;  10 1678-1680
• 18 Shek T W, Peh W C, Leung G. Chondromyxoid fibroma of skull base: a tumour prone to local recurrence.  J Laryngol Otol. 1999;  113 380-385
• 19 Lersundi A, Mankin H J, Mourikis A, Hornicek F J. Chondromyxoid fibroma: a rarely encountered and puzzling tumor.  Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2005;  439 171-175
• 20 Feuvret L, Noël G, Calugaru V, Terrier P, Habrand J L. Chondromyxoid fibroma of the skull base: differential diagnosis and radiotherapy: two case reports and a review of the literature.  Acta Oncol. 2005;  44 545-553