title: Chordoid glioma: clinicopathologic profile and differential diagnosis of an uncommon tumor.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, Medical School, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. ambuccoliero@unifi.it
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Buccoliero
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caldarella
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gallina
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Lorenzo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taddei
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Taddei
mesh_terms: 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