Chordomas of the skull base: MR features.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the MR features of skull base chordomas with regard to signal intensity, size, position, extension, and Gd-DTPA enhancement.


METHODS
The MR imaging studies of 28 patients with surgically proven chordomas of the skull base were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two of these patients received intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA.


RESULTS
On short TR/short TE images, chordomas generally had low to intermediate signal. On long TR/long TE images, chordomas generally had very high signal that was heterogeneous in 79%. After Gd-DTPA administration, all chordomas demonstrated some degree of contrast enhancement. In most cases, enhancement was demonstrated throughout most of each tumor in a heterogeneous pattern. Chordomas were associated with MR findings of displacement and encasement of vessels, and frequent extension into adjacent structures such as the cavernous sinus, sella, nasopharynx, and hypoglossal canal.


CONCLUSIONS
The MR characterization of the position and extent of these neoplasms played an important role in determining the optimal surgical approaches for gross total tumor resection.
Meyers
S P
SP
Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213.
Hirsch
W L
WL
Curtin
H D
HD
Barnes
L
L
Sekhar
L N
LN
Sen
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002817:Chordoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA