Abstract
Two cases of sellar-parasellar chordomas were experienced, the main symptoms of which were slowly progressive cranial nerve palsies.
Localized destruction of the sella turcica and a soft tissue mass protruding into the sphenoid sinus detected by CT and hypocycloid tomography were suggestive of sellar-parasellar chordomas. Endocrinological findings, size of the sella turcica and findings on contrast enhanced CT were helpful in differentiating them from pituitary adenomas. Cerebral angiography, metrizamide CT and hypocycloid tomography of the sella turcica suggested that the main mass was restricted to the epidural spaces, infiltrating into the sphenoid bone. The authors adopted transsphenoidal microsurgery, rather than craniotomy, to avoid injury to the dura mater and dissemination of the tumor cells in the cerebrospinal fluid pathway. The tumors were soft with few vessels and they were easily removed by suction and curettage, preserving the dura mater intact.
