Chondromyxoid fibroma of the temporal bone: case report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
We describe the clinical presentation, imaging, and pathology results of a patient with chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) involving the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. The literature covering CMF of the head and neck is reviewed.


METHODS
The patient chart, including imaging and pathology results, was analyzed. An English-language literature review of skull base CMF was performed.


RESULTS
Eighty-seven cases of CMF involving the head and neck have been reported in the scientific literature. Sixty-two cases involved the skull base, temporal bone, nasal cavity, or paranasal sinuses. Including this patient, only 8 cases of CMF isolated to the temporal bone have been reported. Most patients experience insidious onset of symptoms such as hearing loss or headache. A computed tomographic scan best shows the relationship of the tumor to surrounding bone and may show intratumoral calcification. Surgical removal was the treatment most commonly used. Although irradiation has been used in selected cases, it is usually avoided because of the potential risk for malignant transformation.


CONCLUSIONS
Chondromyxoid fibroma, a slow-growing bone tumor, is exceedingly rare within the mastoid. Its differential diagnosis includes chordoma, chondroid chordoma, and low-grade myxoid chondrosarcoma. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.
Otto
Bradley A
BA
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Jacob
Abraham
A
Klein
Michael J
MJ
Welling
D Bradley
DB
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002804:Chondroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013701:Temporal Bone; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed