A rare case of chondroblastoma of the jugular foramen: Imaging and pathological features

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign tumor that typically arises in the epiphyses or apophyses of long bones in patients with immature skeletal structures. Occasionally, it presents in atypical sites such as the bones of the foot and craniofacial region. This report details the case of an 18-year-old female who experienced neck pain and was found to have a lesion in the left jugular foramen. Imaging revealed typical lytic and expansive bone destruction with invasion into the adjacent internal jugular vein. Initially misdiagnosed as a glomus jugulare tumor, definitive diagnosis of chondroblastoma was established postoperatively via histopathology. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by chondroblastomas at atypical sites. Through detailed imaging, histopathological analysis, and literature review, this study aims to enhance the awareness of clinicians and radiologists regarding chondroblastoma and provides insights and references for the diagnosis and management of similar cases in the future.