Intracranial germinoma metastasizing via a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.
Primary germinomas of the central nervous system carry a good prognosis because of their radiosensitivity. Recurrences are rare and extraneural metastases are even more unusual. One of the possible routes of extraneural spread is via ventriculo-peritoneal shunts which may be required to reduce intracranial pressure. One such case of germinoma metastasizing via a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is reported. Patients with intracranial germinomas and ventriculo-peritoneal shunts should have close surveillance of their abdomens and may require systemic chemotherapy.
Wong
K T
KT
Department of Pathology University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Koh
K B
KB
Lee
S H
SH
Chee
C P
CP
D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D018237:Germinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*