Superior mediastinal chordoma presenting as a bilobed paravertebral mass.

Thoracic chordomas are rare, low-grade malignant tumours arising from the notochordal remnants. These tumours are locally invasive and hence have a tendency for frequent local recurrence. This article presents an unusual appearance of a chordoma, as a bilobed tumour involving both the hemithoraxes. Since the treatment of choice for these tumours is complete surgical excision this involved multiple surgical procedures. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.