Skull base chondroma of extracranial origin.
METHODS
Two cases of chondroma at the skull base, most probably of extracranial origin, are presented: one at the apex of the petrous pyramid and the other in the infratemporal fossa.


RESULTS
In the second case, the surgical findings suggested that the tumor originated in the cartilagineous part of the eustachian tube. The world literature was reviewed and only three cases of extracranial chondromas at the skull base, and ten cases of chondromas of the nasopharynx have been described so far.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential origins of chondromas at the skull base are discussed: Cartilagineous remnants at the basisphenoid and basiocciput or the cartilagineous part of the eustachian tube seem to be the most probable origin.
Sichel
J Y
JY
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Monteil
J P
JP
Elidan
J
J
D002812:Chondroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery