Chondrosarcomas involving the temporal bone

Chondrosarcomas are uncommon malignant mesenchymal tumours tumors which may arise in the cranial base. A majority of chondrosarcomas are low grade, remain locally confined, and rarely metastasize. Chondrosarcomas generally do not arise from within the temporal bone; rather, these tumors more commonly involve the temporal bone via extension from adjacent areas of the skull base. A series of 10 patients with chondrosarcomas involving the temporal bone are presented. In addition to the more common clivus to petrous apex extension, this series of patients demonstrates temporal bone involvement by direct extension from adjacent regions, including the temporomandibular joint and jugular foramen. The clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome in this series of patients will be presented.