University of Pennsylvania report on aspiration biopsy
Dr. John S.J. Brooks, Chair, Dept of Pathology
31 August 2004

Excerpts from the pathology report.

Diagnosis:
	I agree with your differential diagnosis of a myxoid neoplasm, 
including chordoma, and I believe it represents a chordoma.

Notes:
	the tissue shows a myxoid lesion within which clusters,
clumps and nests of eosinophilis cells are found. 
	Cytoplasm somewhat granular, and focally is definitely
vacuolated.  However, most of the cells are not vacuolated.
	Stains for thyroglobulin, CD10 and parathormone were
negative, excluding thyroid, parathyroid and renal origins.
	Lesion is positive for cytokeratin.
	Immunoprofile for chordoma is typically S100 positive;
sample in our hands S100 negative and CMC stain had potentially
a few S100 positive cells.
	Because of radiologic appearance, its position directly
adjacent to vetebral bodies,  and its extent without 
involving other tissue, I believe this is consistent with 
chordoma.

	I took this opportunity to share this case with Dr.
Helen Haupt who agrees with the diagnosis.