The clincoradiologic spectrum of notochordal derived masses.

The notochord is an essential part of human development that regresses with age. Masses derived from notochordal tissue may be encountered during imaging of the neuroaxis. Fortunately, the majority of these are benign and can usually be differentiated by radiological and clinical findings. In this manuscript, we discuss the clinical and radiologic presentation of the four notochordal derived masses and present a brief overview of their management. • Notochordal derived masses are frequently encountered during imaging of the neuroaxis, but clinical and radiological data can help differentiate the benign lesions from the chordoma. • The presence of a soft tissue mass or osteolysis should raise concern for a chordoma and biopsy is necessary. • The benign notochordal cell tumor can MRI characteristics that may mimic a metastasis, but the other imaging features may help point toward the BNCT. • Chordomas most frequently metastasize to lung, bone and liver in descending order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]