A case report: maxillotomy for removal of a clival chordoma.

Although clival chordomas account for only a small percentage (0.2%) of all intracranial tumors, they represent a considerable challenge for the neurosurgical team. The problems of surgical accessibility to the clivus, management of postoperative complications and tendency of the chordoma to recur are well recognized. This infiltrative tumor located at the skull base has the potential to metastasize and recur, thus meeting the characteristics of a malignant tumor. The maxillotomy, as well as a number of other surgical approaches to the clivus, has been developed and refined for removal of this formidable tumor. It is important to have an understanding of the anatomy of the clivus, the pathology of a chordoma and the surgical technique of a maxillotomy. A case report demonstrates these concepts and nursing considerations for the patient undergoing a maxillotomy for resection of a clival chordoma.