Temporal bone chondroblastoma: systematic review of clinical features and outcomes

Objectives: Chondroblastoma is an uncommon benign neoplasm of cartilaginous origin usually involving the long bones. The temporal bone is a rare location for this tumor. As such, the clinical profile, optimal medical and surgical management, and outcomes of treatment for temporal bone chondroblastoma remain unknown.

Materials and methods: We performed a systematic review of the SCOPUS, PubMed, and CENTRAL databases for case reports and case series on patients with histopathologically proven temporal bone chondroblastoma. Data on demographics, clinical manifestation, surgical management, adjuvant treatment, and outcome on last follow-up were collected.

Results: A total of 100 cases were reported in the literature, including one described in the current study. The mean age of patients was 42.3 years (2 - 85 years), with a slight male predilection (1.3:1). The most common clinical manifestations were otologic complaints such as hearing loss (65%), tinnitus, and otalgia, and a palpable mass. Surgical excision was done in all cases, with gross total excision achieved in 58%. Radiation therapy was performed in 18% of cases, mostly as adjuvant treatment after subtotal excision. There were no deaths at a median follow-up of 2 years. Among the patients with detailed status on follow-up, 58% had complete neurologic recovery, 38% had partial recovery, while 4% had progression of symptoms due to tumor recurrence.

Conclusion: Temporal bone chondroblastoma has a distinct clinical profile from chondroblastoma of long bones. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, and radiation therapy may be given after subtotal excision. Outcomes are generally favorable after treatment.

Keywords: Chondroblastoma; skull base surgery; temporal bone.