Intradural recurrence with chondrosarcoma of the spine. A case report and review of the literature.

Known for its resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, chondrosarcoma remains largely a surgically managed tumor predisposed to local recurrence and late distant metastasis. A 42-year-old man with known thoracic chondrosarcoma developed progressive low back pain, lower extremity weakness, and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic myelography demonstrated multiple filling defects throughout the lumbosacral region. Surgical excision of these lesions disclosed intradural, extramedullary drop metastases of the chondrosarcoma. The spread of neoplasms within the dural space is uncommon, accounting for less than 5% of spinal metastases, and has not previously been reported for chondrosarcoma.