A case of unilateral hypoglossus nerve palsy associated with chordoma in the region of clivus

Rare Case of a Clival Chondroma Resulting in Panhypopituitarism

Chondromas are rare benign tumors composed of hyaline cartilage that can arise in various locations in the body. Their occurrence in the clivus, leading to panhypopituitarism, is exceptionally rare. This case report describes a 93-year-old female with a known clival chondroma who presented with altered mental status, presumed to be secondary to toxic metabolic encephalopathy due to an infectious cause. Further diagnostic evaluation revealed pituitary hormone levels below the normal range. This case report aims to highlight a unique case of panhypopituitarism attributed to a chondroma in the clivus with tumor extension to the sellar region, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges and treatment options for this unusual pathology.

Isolated Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy as an Early Symptom of a Granular Cell Tumor

Background: Hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP) is rather common as a neurological disease. However, as an isolated nerve palsy it is an exceedingly rare phenomenon and points at local pathologies along the peripheral course of the nerve. In this communication we report a granular cell tumor (GCT) arising in the submandibular segment of the hypoglossal nerve. Case-Report: Spontaneous isolated HNP was recognized in a female patient. First line MR-imaging identified a clivus-chordoma. However, involvement of the hypoglossal nerve was highly unlikely according to MR-findings. Finally, ultrasonographic investigation revealed a small submandibular mass which, at histological examination, turned out to be a granular cell tumor arising within the hypoglossal nerve. Conclusions: This is the report of an extremely rare GCT originating within the 12th cranial nerve. The case illustrates that isolated motoric cranial nerve palsy may result from this rare tumor entity. This report also points out the diagnostic value of a simple ultrasonographic investigation to depict pathologic lesions of the submandibular space.

Chondroma in the hypoglossal canal: A case report

Background:

Intracranial chondromas are rare tumors arising from the skull base. They are usually accompanied by functional impairments of some cranial nerves. However, hypoglossal nerve dysfunction is rare.

Case Description:

We report on a 57-year-old woman presenting with chondroma of the right hypoglossal canal leading to right hypoglossal nerve palsy.

Conclusions:

This report suggests that chondroma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of hypoglossal lesions.