Intraspinal chordomas

Intraspinal chordomas are rare tumors, comprising about 1% of central nervous system tumors. They are derived from notochordal elements which have failed to degenerate and are mainly found in the sphenooccipital and sacrococcygeal regions. These tumors are very slowly growing, are virtually impossible to excise completely and only metastasise in about 10% of cases. This paper reports on 3 cases of chordomas at 3 different levels and thus causing 3 different clinical pictures. The therapeutic possibilities are outlined.