Chordoma of the Basiocciput and Basisphenoid: Report of Four Cases

Before 1935, cranial chordoma was considered a rare tumor. In that year Mabrey (1935)1found that only 47 instances had been reported since Müller (1858)2first correctly identified the neoplasm as a growth from the notochordal remnants. In the years since 1935, however; this figure has been raised to approximately 85 (including cases collected by Peers,31938, and single cases reported since 1938). We wish to add the 4 cases studied at the Montreal Neurological Institute and the Montreal General Hospital, because they represent the two major subdivisions of chordoma of the basiocciput and basisphenoid, viz., that in which the tumor presents in the nasopharynx —one fifth of the cases—and that in which it is confined to the cranial cavity and its walls. In addition, we wish to point out the value of stained smear preparations in the diagnosis of this tumor, especially when it presents in the nasopharynx. We