AI Article Synopsis
- Ecchordosis physaliphora (EP) is a benign remnant from the notochord, typically found along the spine, and often presents without symptoms.
- EP can be diagnosed using specific radiologic characteristics, such as its location and imaging features, which help distinguish it from the more aggressive chordoma.
- A literature review of 23 cases was conducted, and the authors propose diagnostic criteria to aid in identifying EP, along with recommendations for further genetic analysis to understand these lesions better.
Article Abstract
Ecchordosis physaliphora (EP) is a benign notochordal remnant derived from ectopic nests found along the craniospinal axis. It typically presents asymptomatically and is diagnosed using classic radiologic features, particularly location, T1-hypointensity, T2-hyperintensity, and lack of enhancement following gadolinium (Gd) contrast administration. Distinguishing EP from its malignant counterpart, chordoma, is of paramount importance, given the aggressive nature of the latter. Advances in imaging and immunohistochemistry have aided in diagnosis to an extent but, to our knowledge, identification of the genetic fingerprint of EP has yet to take place. Further cytological analysis of these lesions in search of a genetic link is warranted. We propose here a set of diagnostic criteria based on features consistently cited in the literature. In this literature review, 23 case reports were identified and collated into a summary of symptomatic cases of ecchordosis physaliphora. An illustrative case report of two patients was also included.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4854633 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.547 | DOI Listing |
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