Chordoma of the anterior cranial fossa and ethmoids with orbital involvement.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of orbital chordoma, emphasizing the clinical, operative, and histopathologic findings, and to review similar English-language reports.


METHODS
This is a single case report with histopathologic correlation. Search of the English-language literature and review of referenced citations was performed.


RESULTS
After treatment with resection and proton beam radiation, our patient is alive, without recurrence at 3-year follow-up. Biopsy of the recurrent tumor was consistent with chordoma. The original biopsy had S100 and pancytokeratin-positive tumor cells, with abundant clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm. Focal EMA positivity was present. Literature review identified 14 additional cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Orbital chordoma is rare. Extraocular motility disturbances occur solely with intracranial lesions as well as those extending into the orbit, but globe displacement is the most common sign of orbital involvement. This tumor often recurs in the path of previous resection. Diagnosis is confirmed by distinctive histopathologic features and positive staining for S100, pancytokeratin, and EMA. Treatment and outcome analysis of orbital chordoma is difficult due to its rarity and lack of reported follow-up and may need to be extrapolated from reported skull base cases.
Vidor
Ira
I
Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Sivak-Callcott
Jennifer A
JA
Rosen
Charles L
CL
Rassekh
Christopher H
CH
Williams
H James
HJ
Ellis
Brian D
BD
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002812:Chondroma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D035262:Cranial Fossa, Anterior / Q000473:pathology*; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011878:Radiotherapy; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins