Imaging of an exceptional tumor: myxoid chondrosarcoma of the jugular foramen.

We report on an unusual tumor of the jugular foramen in a 26-year-old male. The lesion showed moderate enhancement on CT scan and a higher signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images than on T1, with a massive enhancement after gadolinium. Tumor was entirely removed surgically and histology was consistent with a low-grade myxoid chondrosarcoma, an exceptional tumor in this location. The differential diagnosis includes paragangliomas, schwannomas, metastases and meningiomas. Radiological and histological features can also mimic chordomas. However, immunohistochemical analysis certifies the diagnosis.