An experience in treatment of neurologically silent clival chordoma mimicking a nasopharyngeal tumor

Abstract

Cranial chordoma is a rare neoplasm that is challenging to both diagnose and manage. We present our experience in treating a case of clival chordoma mimicking a nasopharyngeal mass without any signs of cranial deficits or intracranial insult. Management was comprised of endoscopic transnasal debulking surgery followed by radiotherapy. However, we failed to achieve an oncologic outcome due to the development of lethal central nervous system and respiratory infections 1 month after the surgery.