Germinoma Mimicking Tumefactive Demyelinating Disease in Pediatric Patients

Intracranial germinoma in the lateral ventricle with polydipsia and polyuria: a case report and literature review

Central nervous system germ cell tumors (CNSGCTs) are rare neoplasms which usually develop in the midline structures. They are occasionally involved in off-midline structures of the brain. Here, we report an extremely rare case of an intracranial germinoma in the lateral ventricle. The patient was a 10-year-old boy with a 1-year history of polydipsia and polyuria. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a relatively homogeneously enhancing lesion in the lateral ventricle, and the posterior pituitary gland was not hyperintense on T1-weighted imaging. Subependymoma was suspected, and tumor removal operation was performed; however, because the intraoperative pathological investigation revealed germinoma, we could only perform partial removal of the tumor. Postoperative histology also confirmed germinoma. Then, the patient received chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy. MRI showed no recurrence for 6 years after treatment. Intracranial germinoma in the lateral ventricle is extremely rare. The diagnosis is occasionally challenging, especially when the tumors are located in atypical locations. This paper presents a literature review of previously described CNSGCTs of the lateral ventricle to improve awareness of CNSGCTs in atypical locations. We also consider the relationship between imaging findings and clinical manifestations.

Co-existence of multiple sclerosis and germinoma in an adult male: Case report

Background

Concurrent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the central nervous system (CNS) germinoma is rare. The diagnostic criteria for MS rely primarily on clinical presentation, and CNS germinoma can present as an MS mimic. These factors contribute to the rarity of dual diagnosis.

Case Description

A 28-year-old man presented initially with bilateral optic neuritis, manifesting as persistently worsening vision for 2 years, and demyelinating plaques identified within the corpus callosum on magnetic resonance imaging. Initial work-up, in addition to clinical presentation, led to diagnosis of MS. Three months following the diagnosis of MS, the patient then presented with obstructive hydrocephalus due to a newly diagnosed intraventricular mass. The patient underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy which confirmed diagnosis of CNS germinoma.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, dual presentation of both MS and CNS germinoma has never been reported in the literature. The clinical presentation of bilateral optic neuritis (persisting for roughly 2 years before initial MS diagnosis), demyelinating plaques, and intrathecal oligoclonal bands before the development of an intraventricular mass indicates that both MS and CNS germinoma presented simultaneously in this patient. The treatment plan for this patient included carboplatin + etoposide, followed by adjuvant radiation and subsequent IVIG therapy.

Intramedullary spinal cord germinoma clinically mimicking multiple sclerosis: A case report

Background:

It is important to differentiate intramedullary neoplastic lesions from nonneoplastic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating or inflammatory diseases.

Case Description:

A 26-year-old Japanese male presented with a history of intracranial germinomas and obstructive hydrocephalus, treated with endoscopic surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Three years later, he developed paresthesias involving the right hand and both lower extremities. The cervical MR scan demonstrated a heterogeneously enhancing intramedullary C1-C2 lesion with surrounding edema. On cytological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), there were no neoplastic cells. However, the fluid was positive for oligoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) bands. The patient received steroid pulse therapy to address the potential MS diagnosis. The follow-up MR showed reduced edema, but no change in the size of the intramedullary lesion. Therefore, the patient underwent a cervical laminectomy for tumor resection. The pathology was consistent with the same cranial germinoma treated 3 years previously. He subsequently received whole spinal radiation and three courses of chemotherapy.

Conclusion:

Some spinal cord tumors may produce oligoclonal IgG bands in CSF. In this case, an intramedullary C1-C2 spinal cord germinoma was originally misdiagnosed as MS due to the presence of oligoclonal IgG bands in CSF. Differentiating this tumor from MS and initiating appropriate treatment were critical into the care of this patient.

A case of pediatric multiple sclerosis presenting with a tumefactive demyelinating lesion

Pediatric multiple sclerosis accompanied by a tumefactive demyelinating lesion (TDL) is extremely rare. Because it is very difficult to distinguish TDLs from neoplasms, invasive brain biopsies are required for a definitive diagnosis. MR spectroscopy (MRS) without brain biopsy was recently shown diagnostic in some patients with TDLs, based on the elevation of glutamate/glutamine peaks. This report describes the clinical course of a 9-year-old girl with multiple sclerosis following a TDL and discusses the usefulness of MRS and brain biopsies to diagnose TDLs.