Lumbar vertebral chordoma: diffusion-weighted imaging findings are helpful to narrow the differential diagnosis. A case report

Solitary vertebral chordoma presents as an intra- and extraosseous tumour with typical bright signal on T2-weighted images and moderate inhomogeneous enhancement on T1 postcontrast images. The diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) characteristics of this histologically proven third lumbar vertebra chordoma are reported for the first time. The DWI hyperintensity with increased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values strongly supports the preoperative diagnosis of a vertebral chordoma, allows for careful preoperative planning of the surgical procedure, and helps to narrow the differential diagnosis.