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Chondroid chordoma is an uncommon malignant tumor of bone that occurs mostly in patients of early middle age. To our knowledge, this tumor has not been previously described in the nasal septum as a primary lesion. We describe a 39-year-old woman who presented with a 1-year history of nasal obstruction. Results of her physical examination and imaging studies demonstrated a nasoseptal mass. We also discuss the histologic and radiographic characteristics of the chondroid chordoma and compare it with other tumors that arise in the nasoseptal area to highlight the different prognoses and approaches to management.

Background A significant proportion of burn patients with inhalation injuries incur difficulties with airway protection, dysphagia, and aspiration. In assessing the need for intubation in burn patients, the efficacy of fiberoptic laryngoscopy was compared with clinical findings and the findings of diagnostic tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis, measurement of carboxyhemoglobin levels, pulmonary function tests, and radiography of the lateral aspect of the neck. Objective To determine if these patients were at risk for aspiration or dysphagia, barium-enhanced fluoroscopic swallowing studies were performed. Design Prospective study. Settings Burn intensive care unit in an academic tertiary referral center. Main Outcome Measures Need for endotracheal intubation and potential for aspiration. Results Six (55%) of 11 patients had clinical findings and symptoms that indicated, under traditional criteria, endotracheal intubation for airway protection. Visualization of the upper airway with fiberoptic laryngoscopy obviated the need for endotracheal intubation in all 11 patients. These patients also failed to evidence an increased risk of aspiration or other swallowing dysfunction. Conclusions In comparison with other diagnostic criteria, fiberoptic laryngoscopy allows differentiation of those patients with inhalation injuries who, while at risk for upper airway obstruction, do not require intubation. These patients may be safely observed in a monitored setting with serial fiberoptic examinations, thus avoiding the possible complications associated with intubation of an airway with a compromised mucosalized surface. In these patients, swallowing abnormalities do not manifest.