Computed tomography of spinal chordomas

Computed tomography of 16 spinal chordomas revealed lytic lesions, or lytic and blastic lesions, of 2 or more adjacent vertebrae and a fairly well-delineated soft tissue mass in 16 patients. Intravenous contrast enhancement revealed multiple zones of hypodensity in 5 tumors pathologically proved to contain areas of cystic degeneration. Invasion of the epidural space was noted on computed tomography in 2 vertebral and 7 sacral lesions, and on myelography in 7 vertebral lesions. Computed tomography is ideal for delineation of the soft tissue component of these lesions, detection of sacral lesions at an early stage, planning of surgical excision or irradiation treatment, and detection of recurrence.