Endonasal endoscopic approach for the resection of chondroid chordoma with skull base involvement

Chordoma is an uncommon tumor of bone that is believed to develop from remnants of the notochord. The chondroid variant of chordomas contains elements possessing both chordoma and cartilaginous tissues. Chondroid chordomas occur almost exclusively in the sphenooccipital region of the skull base. Primary treatment with surgical excision and radiotherapy for residual or recurrent tumor is recommended. Here, we describe a patient with chondroid chordoma with skull base involvement who underwent an expanded endonasal endoscopic approach for complete resection. In conclusion, endonasal endoscopic approach should be kept in mind for the resection of carefully selected chondroid chordomas with skull base involvement because of its minimally invasive characteristics.