(9) The hallmark cell of chordoma is the large
physaliphorous cell with a central nucleus and numerous clear cytoplasmic vacuoles.
Histological examination revealed that these tumor cells often contain numerous intracytoplasmic vacuoles (
physaliphorous) and are separated by variable amounts of intercellular mucin, accounting for 1% to 4% of all malignant bone tumors [5-8].
Histologically, the lesion was mainly composed of extremely large cells (known as
physaliphorous cells), with vacuolated PAS positive cytoplasm and prominent vesicular nuclei with mild atypia, combined to small tumor cells with inconspicuous and no visible nuclei.
Microscopically, chordomas consist of nests or cords of
physaliphorous cells separated by fibrous tissue septa and mucoid intercellular substance.
Histological examination revealed scattered
physaliphorous cell nests with a lobular growth pattern.
T12-L2 laminectomy done, tumour decompressed and spine stabilized Microscopic examination revealed the classic
physaliphorous type and the radiotherapy delivered and the patient got relief of pain.
Myxoid variant of chordoma is differentiated by its location in the sacrococcygeal region, base of skull, or the cervical spine and the presence of multinucleated,
physaliphorous cells.
Morphologically, chordoma is composed of epithelioid cells showing prominent vacuoles--giving it the characteristic
physaliphorous appearance--and arranged in cords within a myxoid to chondromyxoid matrix.
The epithelioid cells are slightly elongated, with associated large mucus-containing
physaliphorous cells (figure 2).
The characteristic
physaliphorous cells, showing abundant, pale, eosinophilic, vacuolated cytoplasm and mild nuclear atypia were noted in all cases (Figure 1, A).
Many of the tumour cells exhibit vacuolization of the cytoplasm resembling
physaliphorous cells.
Histologically, they both show the characteristic
physaliphorous cell; they stain for vimentin, S100, epithelial membrane antigen, and low molecular weight cytokeratins; and they are negative for high molecular weight keratins.
