Chondroblastoma of the temporal bone is a very rare bone tumor. Twenty-nine cases have been reported in the literature. Recently, we experienced a case of a 45-year-old female with chondroblastoma arising from the left temporal bone.
We found the tumor by roentogenologic examination and made a diagnosis of chondroblastoma by it's histopathological findings. It is necessary for diagnosis to distinguish chondroblastoma from other diseases (cholesteatoma, giant cell tumor, aneurysmal bone cyst, chondrosarcoma and hyperparathyroidism). It is easy for a typical case to make a diagnosis by histopathological findings.
Surgical treatment is effective for chondroblastoma. However, an extended operation is not necessary. Radiotherapy is also effective, but may cause postradiational sarcoma. Cryosurgery and bone grafting after resection are recommendable. It is very difficult for chondroblastoma of temporal bone to be removed completely, therefore a long term follow-up is necessary.
