Intracranial extra-axial chondroma: a case report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Intracranial chondromas are rare, benign neoplasms typically found at the skull base.
• Dural origin, particularly from the convexity or falx cerebri, is exceptionally uncommon.
• Tumor cell origins are hypothesized to be meningeal fibroblasts, perivascular mesenchymal tissue, or ectopic chondrocytes.

Observation:

• Clinical presentations and neuroimaging findings for intracranial chondromas are often nonspecific.
• These tumors can mimic other intracranial neoplasms, complicating diagnosis.
• A case of a frontal dural chondroma is presented, initially diagnosed as a meningioma.

Findings:

• The patient underwent a 3-year radiological follow-up with an initial diagnosis of meningioma.
• Postoperative histological examination confirmed the tumor as a chondroma.
• This case underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by intracranial chondromas.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis of intracranial chondromas requires histological examination, especially when they arise from the dura.
• Differentiating chondromas from more common tumors like meningiomas is crucial for appropriate management.
• This report contributes to the understanding of rare dural-based intracranial neoplasms.