High cervical chordoma--case report.

A 42-year-old male presented with a high cervical chordoma detected at an early stage and manifesting only as neck pains. Serial cervical roentgenograms over 8 years confirmed the slow growth character of this malignant tumor. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging provided clear visualization of the tumor localized in the anterior aspect of the C-2 vertebral body. The tumor was totally removed through a transoral approach. Early diagnosis of vertebral chordoma is difficult due to the slow growth character and insidiousness of initial symptoms, but meticulous examination of serial roentgenograms, followed by neuroimaging, can achieve early detection of cervical chordoma.