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Ecchordosis physaliphora: a cautionary tale

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 December 2019

C Georgalas ,
D Terzakis ,
M Tsikna ,
Z Alatzidou ,
S de Santi ,
V Seccia  and
I Dallan
C Georgalas*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hygeia Hospital, Athens, Greece Head and Neck Surgery Department, University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus
D Terzakis
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hygeia Hospital, Athens, Greece
M Tsikna
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hygeia Hospital, Athens, Greece
Z Alatzidou
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hygeia Hospital, Athens, Greece
S de Santi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
V Seccia
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
I Dallan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Christos Georgalas, Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Center, Hygeia Hospital, Erythrou Stavrou 4, Maroussi 15123, Greece E-mail: cgeorgalas@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background

Ecchordosis physaliphora is a congenital, benign lesion originating from notochordal remnants along the craniospinal axis, most frequently located at the level of the clivus and sacrum. Sometimes ecchordosis physaliphora is difficult to recognise and treat, with a total of twenty-six cases described in the literature.

Methods

This study reports on three cases of previously undiagnosed ecchordosis physaliphora presenting with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea and meningitis.

Conclusion

Endoscopic transclival or transsphenoid surgery including three-layer (fat, fascia and nasoseptal flap) reconstruction was used in all cases with complete resolution of the symptoms.

Keywords

Cerebrospinal FluidMeningitisCerebrospinal Fluid RhinorrhoeaNotochord

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 134 , Issue 1 , January 2020 , pp. 46 - 51
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2019

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Footnotes

Dr C Georgalas takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

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