A rare symptomatic presentation of ecchordosis physaliphora: Neuroradiological and surgical management

Abstract

The Authors report a case of Ecchordosis physaliphora , an uncommon benign lesion originating from embryonic notochordal remnants , intradurally located in the prepontine cistern, that unusually presented associated with symptoms. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging was of great use in detecting and precisely localizing the small mass. At surgery, a cystic gelatinous nodule was found ventral to the pons, contiguous with the dorsal wall of the clivus via a small pedicle. Histological examination diagnosed the lesion as an Ecchordosis physaliphora. The Authors focus especially on the analysis of the neuroradiological aspects, that play a crucial role from both a diagnostic and a therapeutic standpoint.