[Cranial vault chondroma: a case report and literature review]

Intracranial chondromas are unusual tumors, which most commonly arise from cartilage rets in the synchondrosis at the base of the skull. They are most likely found in the sellar and parasellar regions, usually located extradurally. In rare instances, these tumors originate from the dura mater of the convexity. In these cases their neuroradiological features may mimic other intracranial tumors. We present the case of a 50-year-old male presenting a large parasagittal tumor originating in the frontal convexity. MRI-scans revealed a cavitated tumor strongly enhanced after gadolinium infusion mimicking a parasagittal meningioma. There was no obstruction of the superior sagittal sinus as shown by cerebral angiogram. Total excision was achieved and the postoperative course was uneventful. No complementary treatment was therefore considered. The histological examination diagnosis was chondroma. Radiological workup performed at four years follow-up did not reveal any recurrence of the lesion. Pathogenic, clinico-radiological and therapeutic issues are discussed and the literature reviewed.