Abstract:ObjectiveTo discuss the diagnostic values of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) via analyzing their features in chordoma of skull base.MethodsCT and MRI data of 62 patients with chordoma of skull base confirmed by surgery and pathology from Jan. 2008 to Mar. 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Of them, 11 cases were evaluated simultaneously with computed tomography angiography (CTA). The tumor location, growth pattern, density or signal characteristics, enhanced features and relationship with the adjacent tissues were observed．ResultsChordomas originated from clivus in 46 patients, including compressing and backward removing of brain stem and basilar artery in 15, invasion of sphenoid sinus and posterior ethmoid sinus in 10, invasion of unilateral or bilateral cavernous sinus in 8, invasion of skull base and nasopharynx in 5, and invasion of petrosal apex in 6. In addition, tumors originated from other untypical sites besides clivus in 16 cases, including entering the suprasellar cistern in 9, involving adjacent petrosal bone and occipital bone in 4, and compressing brain stem in 3. All the lesions were inhomogeneous isodensity or slightly high density on CT, including marginal sclerosis in the bone destruction area in 4 cases, and intralesional calcification or residual bone in 49. The tumors showed inhomogeneous signal intensity with isoand hyposignal intensity on T1WI and high signal intensity on T2WI mixed with high T1WI signal or low T2WI signal. Enhanced MRI showed heterogeneous enhancement, including mild to moderate enhancement in 53, “honeycomb” sign in 6, and mild marginal ringenhancement in 3 cases.ConclusionWith clear display of location, morphology and size of tumor，as well as surrounding tissue invasion and its relationship with adjacent tissues, CT and MRI play important roles in the diagnosis, surgical plan and postoperative evaluation of chordoma of skull base.
