Intra-axial chondroblastoma: A bony tumor in the cerebral hemisphere – A case report and review of literature

Abstract

This case highlights a rare possibility of occurrence of chondroblastoma, a bony tumor, at an uncommon location. Extraosseous, soft tissue location of this bony tumor is rare and more so for intracranial intra-axial location. We report a case of an intra-axial frontal lobe lesion, histologically proven to be an extraosseous chondroblastoma. A 23-year-old male presented with a history of headache and vomiting of 1 month duration. Imaging was suggestive of left frontal lobe intra-axial calcified lesion suggestive of oligodendroglioma. Patient was operated upon by left frontal craniotomy with complete excision of the lesion. The patient recovered well postoperatively. Left sixth nerve paresis improved and ataxia decreased. Intra-axial chondroblastomas are extremely rare tumors. Differential diagnosis should be kept in mind, especially in cases of calcified lesions. Complete excision should be the aim to achieve cure.

Introduction

Chondroblastomas are rare bony tumors, most commonly found at the epiphyseal ends of long bones and less commonly in other bones like skull[1,2,3,4] and pelvic bones. They are rare at extraosseous, soft tissue locations.[5,6] An extraosseous intracranial location[7] for this bony tumor is a rare entity. We report a case of an intracranial intra-axial chondroblastoma in a young patient.

Case Report

A 23-year-old, right-handed male was admitted with complaints of headache and vomiting of 1 month duration. There was history of drowsiness and lack of interest in surroundings. On examination, the patient was conscious but disoriented. Immediate registration and recall was impaired, attention span was reduced, and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was 24/30. He had a left sixth nerve paresis. Visual acuity was 6/9 in the right eye and 6/18 in the left eye. Gait was ataxic, spastic, and tandem walk was impaired.

The contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan [Figure 1] showed a hyperdense, well-demarcated lesion with peripheral calcification in the left frontal lobe.

Figure 1.

The contrast-enhanced CT scan showing a hyperdense, well-demarcated lesion with peripheral calcification in the left frontal lobe

MRI brain showed a well-defined, lobulated, intra-axial mass lesion in the left frontal lobe. It was hypointense with areas of hyperintensity at places on T1Wimages. On T2W images, the lesion was predominantly hyperintense. On postcontrast study, the lesion showed thick peripheral enhancement [Figure 2]. There was perilesional edema and mass effect on the underlying left lateral ventricle. The findings were suggestive of oligodendroglioma.

Figure 2.

MRI brain showed a well-defined, lobulated, intra-axial mass lesion in the left frontal lobe. On post contrast study, the lesion showed thick peripheral enhancement with perilesional edema and mass effect on the underlying left lateral ventricle

The patient was operated by a left frontal craniotomy. Tumor was reaching the surface of left frontal lobe, and with the transcortical approach, complete excision was achieved. The tumor was encapsulated, with thick calcified wall containing caseous, necrotic, and calcified material [Figure 3]. Intratumoral debulking followed by complete excision of the tumor was done.

Figure 3.

The tumor was encapsulated with thick calcified wall containing caseous, necrotic, and calcified material

Postoperatively, the patient recovered well. There was no apparent new neurological deficit. Left sixth nerve paresis improved and ataxia decreased. Patient was discharged on the 6^th day following surgery.

The postoperative CT scan [Figure 4] showed complete tumor excision.

Figure 4.

Postoperative CT scan showing complete tumor excision

On histopathologic examination, the tumor revealed varying degree of cellularity. There were sheets of polyhedral tumor cells, having round to oval grooved nuclei and prominent nucleoli. Occasional mitotic activity and few giant cells were seen. Interspersed among these cells were sheets of cartilaginous tissue. There was extensive calcification, varying from delicate lace like (chicken wire appearance) to blotchy areas [Figure 5].

Figure 5.

Histopathologic examination showing the tumor cells with varying degree of cellularity. There are sheets of polyhedral tumor cells, having round to oval grooved nuclei and prominent nucleoli. Interspersed among these cells were sheets of cartilaginous tissue. There is extensive calcification, varying from delicate lace like (chicken wire appearance) to blotchy areas

The tumor was reported as “benign cartilage forming tumor – Intracranial extraosseous chondroblastoma.”

Discussion

Chondroblastoma is a cartilage-forming, benign bone tumor. Ewing first described this calcifying giant cell tumor, subsequently designated as “epiphyseal chondromatous giant cell tumor” by Codman in 1931.[8] The term chondroblastoma was coined by Jaffe and Lichtenstein[9] in 1942.

Chondroblastoma accounts for less than 1% of all bone tumors. It occurs most commonly at the epiphysis of long bones in young boys in the first and second decades of life. It may uncommonly occur in other bones like pelvis and skull. The skull and facial bones[1] which develop from enchondral ossification may harbor cartilaginous rests which are the source of cranial chondroblastomas. Among the skull bones, the squamous portion of the temporal bone[1,2,3,4] accounts for more than 70% of the cases. Rarely chondroblastomas may occur in extraosseous locations like in the soft tissue of different parts of the body.[5,6] However, there is only one case report of an extraosseous intracranial chondroblastoma.[7]

Most chondroblastomas have a benign course. However, local recurrence, malignant transformation to sarcoma (often after radiation therapy), and distant metastasis have all been reported,[10,11] thus necessitating a close follow-up.

Radiographically, chondroblastoma in the long bones is characterized by a well-defined osteolytic lesion involving the epiphysis. CT scan depicts a lytic lesion involving the skull bone with areas of calcifications in the center and the periphery of the tumor. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrates variable patterns. The tumor can show hypointensity on T1-weighted images, hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, and marked contrast enhancement.[2] It may show heterogeneous, intensely enhancing solid and multilobulated cystic components.

Histologically, on gross examination, these tumors are lobulated, round, containing friable, soft, grayish pink tissue that may be gritty. If present, the cystic fluid is rust or straw colored. On microscopic examination, there are uniform, polygonal, closely packed cells with abundant cytoplasm and oval-shaped nuclei with a prominent groove (coffee bean). There may be little mitotic activity and scant chondroid matrix. Pericellular deposit of calcification that appears like “chicken wire” is the hallmark of histopathologic diagnosis. Microscopically, the tumor can be confused with chondrosarcoma or giant cell tumor. Though the tumor may present extreme cellularity, yet it is benign as mitosis is scanty. Extraosseous chondroblastoma occurring in soft tissues is a rare entity with only few case reports in the literature.[5,6] The first and only case of an extraosseous intracranial chondroblastoma involving the cavernous sinus was reported by Al Mestady et al.[7] We report the first case of extraosseous chondroblastoma of the cerebral hemisphere. The imaging findings were suggestive of oligodendroglioma. However, the tumor was histologically diagnosed as a chondroblastoma.

The tumor was resected completely in this case, which amounts to cure in view of the benign nature of the lesion. However, since there is literature highlighting the fact that sometimes these tumors may recur and even metastasize,[10,11,12] the patient has been put on regular follow-up to detect any such transformation at the earliest. On 1 year follow-up, there is no evidence of recurrence and the patient is completely asymptomatic.

Conclusion

Intra-axial chondroblastomas are extremely rare tumors; only one case has been reported in the literature so far. High degree of suspicion is required for the diagnosis, especially in cases of calcified lesions. Complete excision should be the aim to achieve cure, due to the benign nature of the lesion.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.