Evaluation of cranial nerve involvement in chordomas and chondrosarcomas: a retrospective imaging study

Purpose Cranial nerve involvement (CNI) influences the treatment strategies and prognosis of head and neck tumors. However, its incidence in skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas remains to be investigated. This study evaluated the imaging features of chordoma and chondrosarcoma, with a focus on the differences in CNI. Methods Forty-two patients (26 and 16 patients with chordomas and chondrosarcomas, respectively) treated at our institution between January 2007 and January 2023 were included in this retrospective study. Imaging features, such as the maximum diameter, tumor location (midline or off-midline), calcification, signal intensity on T2-weighted image, mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, contrast enhancement, and CNI, were evaluated and compared using Fisher’s exact test or the Mann–Whitney U -test. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated to evaluate the association between the histological type and imaging features. Results The incidence of CNI in chondrosarcomas was significantly higher than that in chordomas (63% vs. 8%, P < 0.001). An off-midline location was more common in chondrosarcomas than in chordomas (86% vs. 13%; P < 0.001). The mean ADC values of chondrosarcomas were significantly higher than those of chordomas ( P < 0.001). Significant associations were identified between chondrosarcomas and CNI ( OR = 20.00; P < 0.001), location ( OR = 53.70; P < 0.001), and mean ADC values ( OR = 1.01; P = 0.002). Conclusion The incidence of CNI and off-midline location in chondrosarcomas was significantly higher than that in chordomas. CNI, tumor location, and the mean ADC can help distinguish between these entities.