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Cohen D, Litofsky NS. Diagnosis and Management of Pineal Germinoma: From Eye to Brain. Eye Brain 2023; 15:45-61. [PMID: 37077304 PMCID: PMC10108908 DOI: 10.2147/eb.s389631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pineal germinomas can be very complex in terms of presentation, diagnosis, and management. This review attempts to simplify this complexity in an organized manner, addressing the anatomic relationships that provide the basis for the uniqueness of pineal germinoma. Ocular findings and signs and symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure are the keys to suspecting the diagnosis and obtaining the necessary imaging and cerebrospinal fluid studies. Other symptoms can suggest spread beyond the pineal region. Surgery may only be needed to obtain tissue for a definitive diagnosis, as germinoma is highly responsive to chemotherapy and focused radiation therapy. Hydrocephalus, usually related to tumor obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct, may also need to be addressed. Outcome for pineal germinoma is usually excellent, but relapse can occur and may require additional intervention. These issues are detailed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cohen
- Department of Neurology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - N Scott Litofsky
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
- Correspondence: N Scott Litofsky, Department of Neurosurgery, One Hospital Drive, MC, 321, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA, Tel +1-573-882-4908, Fax +1-573-884-5184, Email
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Qin F, Huang Z, Dong Q, Xu X, Lu T, Chen J, Cheng N, Qiu W, Lu Z. Stereotactic biopsy for lesions in brainstem and deep brain: a single-center experience of 72 cases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 54:e11335. [PMID: 34320122 PMCID: PMC8302144 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2021e11335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Stereotactic biopsies for lesions in the brainstem and deep brain are rare. This study aimed to summarize our 6-year experience in the accurate diagnosis of lesions in the brain stem and deep brain and to discuss the technical note and strategies. From December 2011 to January 2018, 72 cases of intracranial lesions in the brainstem or deep in the lobes undergoing stereotactic biopsy were retrospectively reviewed. An individualized puncture path was designed based on the lesion's location and the image characteristics. The most common biopsy targets were deep in the lobes (43 cases, 59.7%), including frontal lobe (33 cases, 45.8%), temporal lobe (4 cases, 5.6%), parietal lobe (3 cases, 4.2%), and occipital lobe (3 cases, 4.2 %). There were 12 cases (16.7%) of the brainstem, including 8 cases (11.1%) of midbrain, and 4 cases (5.6%) of pons or brachium pontis. Other targets included internal capsule (2 cases, 2.8%), thalamus (3 cases, 4.2%), and basal ganglion (12 cases, 16.7%). As for complications, one patient developed acute intracerebral hemorrhage in the biopsy area at 2 h post-operation, and one patient had delayed intracerebral hemorrhage at 7 days post-operation. The remaining patients recovered well after surgery. There was no surgery-related death. The CT-MRI-guided stereotactic biopsy of lesions in the brainstem or deep in the brain has the advantages of high safety, accurate diagnosis, and low incidence of complications. It plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of atypical, microscopic, diffuse, multiple, and refractory lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Qin
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenchao Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing Dong
- Department of Neurology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaofeng Xu
- Department of Neurology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tingting Lu
- Department of Neurology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianning Chen
- Department of Pathology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Na Cheng
- Department of Pathology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Neurology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhengqi Lu
- Department of Neurology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Ilcus C, Silaghi H, Georgescu CE, Georgiu C, Ciurea AI, Nicoara SD, Silaghi CA. Molecular Pathology and Targeted Therapies for Personalized Management of Central Nervous System Germinoma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:661. [PMID: 34357128 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11070661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracranial germinomas are rare tumours, usually affecting male paediatric patients. They frequently develop in the pineal and suprasellar regions, causing endocrinological disturbances, visual deficits, and increased intracranial pressure. The diagnosis is established on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers, and tumour stereotactic biopsy. Imaging techniques, such as susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), T2* (T2-star) gradient echo (GRE) or arterial spin labelling based perfusion-weighted MRI (ASL-PWI) facilitate the diagnosis. Germinomas are highly radiosensitive tumours, with survival rates >90% in the context of chemoradiotherapy. However, patients with resistant disease have limited therapeutic options and poor survival. The aim of this review is to highlight the genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic features, which could provide the basis for targeted therapy. Intracranial germinomas present genetic and epigenetic alterations (chromosomal aberrations, KIT, MAPK and PI3K pathways mutations, DNA hypomethylation, miRNA dysregulation) that may represent targets for therapy. Tyrosine kinase and mTOR inhibitors warrant further investigation in these cases. Immune markers, PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) and PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1), are expressed in germinomas, representing potential targets for immune checkpoint inhibitors. Resistant cases should benefit from a personalized management: genetic and immunological testing and enrolment in trials evaluating targeted therapies in intracranial germinomas.
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