Intraoperative squash and touch cytology of chondroid chordoma of the skull base. Report of a case with immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical studies.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Chondroid chordoma is a rare variant of chordoma and is usually located in the sphenooccipital region. This tumor shows clinical and histologic features common to both conventional chordoma and low grade chondrosarcoma and has a better prognosis than either of those lesions. To our knowledge, there has been no English language report describing its cytologic features.

CASE:

The cytologic features of skull base chondroid chordoma observed in intraoperative crush and touch preparations from a 33-year-old female are reported. Touch cytology revealed round or stellate cells distributed in a mucoid background without a typical epithelial cordlike arrangement. The cells had variably vacuolated cytoplasm and round or oval nuclei and showed slight cellular pleomorphism. May-Giemsa staining was superior to Papanicolaou staining in demonstrating the mucoid matrix and vacuolated cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Additionally, crush preparations were effective in demonstrating well-differentiated chondroid elements. Immunocytochemistry with positivity for S-100 protein and cytokeratins was an essential adjunct in the cytologic diagnosis of chordoma and helped in distinguishing it from other chondrogenic tumors.

CONCLUSION:

It is possible and advantageous to diagnose chondroid chordoma with a combination of cytologic and immunocytochemical studies of intraoperative crush and touch preparations in conjunction with clinical and radiographic information.

• Authors: K Nabeshima, S Sato, T Sameshima, T Goya, A Ohno, Y Hinoura, M Koono
• Journal: Acta cytologica (Acta Cytol) 1997 May-Jun Vol. 41 Issue 3 Pg. 913-8 ISSN: 0001-5547 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 9167726 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• S100 Proteins
• Keratins

Topics

• Adult
• Cartilage (chemistry)
• Chondrosarcoma (diagnosis)
• Chordoma (chemistry, diagnosis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Extracellular Matrix (chemistry)
• Female
• Histological Techniques
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Keratins (analysis)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• S100 Proteins (analysis)
• Skull Neoplasms (chemistry, diagnosis)