The recent observation in the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital of a patient who died of a spheno-occipital chordoma led to a perusal of the literature in search of similar cases. The apparent rarity of these tumors, especially in this country, afforded sufficient stimulus for the preparation of a brief review. This study is restricted to a collected series of fifty-six chordomas which caused clinical symptoms by involvement of structures within the cranial vault or in the region of the cranium, the cervical portion of the spine and the nasopharynx. Even though the subject-matter is only complementary, it may serve a purpose and perhaps will revivify interest in this unique group of tumors.
A chordoma is a neoplasm rising from embryonic rests of the chorda dorsalis. The benign form, which has been named ecchordosis physaliphora, is a curiosity of no clinical importance. The malignant form is usually characterized by slow expansile