Chordoid glioma: clinicopathologic profile and differential diagnosis of an uncommon tumor.
Chordoid glioma is an uncommon low-grade brain neoplasm arising in the third ventricular region, predominantly in middle-aged women. It characteristically shows chordoma-like histologic features and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity. We present a case of chordoid glioma in a previously healthy 56-year-old woman admitted to our hospital because of a cranial trauma subsequent to an incidental fall. Radiologic examinations revealed a well-demarcated, partially cystic, enhancing mass at the level of the lamina terminalis. The lesion was surgically removed. The patient remained alive and well 8 months after the surgery. Histologically, the tumor consisted of clusters and cords of epithelioid cells embedded in a mucinous matrix. Lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates and Russell bodies were prominent. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilaments, and neuron-specific enolase, suggesting a divergent neuronal and glial differentiation. The Ki-67 index was low. The clinicopathologic profile and the differential diagnosis of this tumor are discussed.
Buccoliero
Anna Maria
AM
Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, Medical School, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. ambuccoliero@unifi.it
Caldarella
Adele
A
Gallina
Pasquale
P
Di Lorenzo
Nicola
N
Taddei
Antonio
A
Taddei
Gian Luigi
GL
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016545:Choroid Plexus Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged