SO-CALLED PRIMARY CHONDROMA OF THE ETHMOID

Abstract

In a comprehensive report on primary chondroma of the ethmoid Lugli¹ stated that Sicard² published a monograph on the subject including twenty-nine observations. Heymann³ expressed the opinion that in two thirds of the cases reported by Sicard the growth was an enchondroma of the septum or was of mixed form of extranasal origin. The site of origin of many of the tumors, their mixed character and the extent of involvement have been controversial, so that the exact frequency of the true chondroma is not known. Schwerdtfeger⁴ in reviewing two hundred articles on chondroma collected forty-one instances in which the growth occurred in the nasal cavity. Schlittler in reporting an instance of "enchondroma of the nasal cavity" listed five others not mentioned by Schwerdtfeger,⁴ bringing the total of authentic cases up to forty-seven. A summary of the available essential facts concerning these chondromas of the nasal region⁵ discloses the following information: