Chondroblastoma of the skull and facial bones

A series of 30 chondroblastomas was reviewed: 21 had occurred in the lateral part of the temporal bone, 6 in the mandible, 1 in the parietal bone, and 2 in the region that included the temporal bone and mandible. Of the 30 patients in the series, 20 were males and 9 were females; the sex of 1 patient was not stated. The ages of 29 patients ranged from 2 years 11 months to 70 years (mean, 43.5 years). Radiologic findings were not suggestive of a specific diagnosis, although the lesions appeared to be benign. Histologically, most tumors were classic chondroblastomas. However, some showed aneurysmal bone cyst-like areas and nodules of epithelioid cells without chondroid differentiation. Conservative reexcisions were usually curative. Approximately half of the patients had recurrence after curettage.