Notochord embryonic rests occurring in the skull can cause sudden death.
Notochord embryonic rests:
(1) benign: ecchordosis physaliphora
(2) malignant: chordoma
These tumors occur primarily at the base of the skull (clivus) or the sacral region, but can occur anywhere in-between along the neuraxis.
Sudden death with tumors at the cephalic end (clivus) can occur due to:
(1) hemorrhage
(2) acute obstructive hydrocephalus
Pathologic features
(1) gelatinous and semi-translucent mass
(2) located at the ventral surface of midbrain or pons.
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory