Case Of the Week (COW) 16 June 2013
Answer:
Nasal septal chondrosarcoma.
Findings:
CT images showed a large mass that was inseparable from the nasal septum in the midline of the nasal cavity. There were matrix calcifications ,ring and arc patterns within this mass, consistent with a tumor of chondroid origin.
Discussion:
Chondrosarcomas arising in the nasal septum are rare; only approximately 50 cases have been reported . The head and neck region is an unusual site for a chondrosarcoma.Chondrosarcomas of the sinonasal cavity are slow-growing invasive cartilaginous tumors, and they usually have a high grade of malignancy On CT images, the hypoattenuating matrix and the typical pattern of calcifications of chondrosarcomas are seen. These calcifications may vary from amorphous to punctate to large. Associated bone erosion or destruction can also be seen. Features that indicate low-grade chondrosarcoma rather than chondroma are location in the axial skeleton and diameter larger than 5 cm , as well as low-signal-intensity septa on T2-weighted MR images and either a septal or a ring and arc pattern of enhancement.
Contributed By:
Dr.Adhithyan, Prof. Babu Peter, Dr. Shyamala
Barnard Institute of Radiology
Answer:
Nasal septal chondrosarcoma.
Findings:
CT images showed a large mass that was inseparable from the nasal septum in the midline of the nasal cavity. There were matrix calcifications ,ring and arc patterns within this mass, consistent with a tumor of chondroid origin.
Discussion:
Chondrosarcomas arising in the nasal septum are rare; only approximately 50 cases have been reported . The head and neck region is an unusual site for a chondrosarcoma.Chondrosarcomas of the sinonasal cavity are slow-growing invasive cartilaginous tumors, and they usually have a high grade of malignancy On CT images, the hypoattenuating matrix and the typical pattern of calcifications of chondrosarcomas are seen. These calcifications may vary from amorphous to punctate to large. Associated bone erosion or destruction can also be seen. Features that indicate low-grade chondrosarcoma rather than chondroma are location in the axial skeleton and diameter larger than 5 cm , as well as low-signal-intensity septa on T2-weighted MR images and either a septal or a ring and arc pattern of enhancement.
Contributed By:
Dr.Adhithyan, Prof. Babu Peter, Dr. Shyamala
Barnard Institute of Radiology