title: Primary cystic germinoma originating from the midbrain.
abstract: A primary intracranial germinoma that involves the midbrain is rare. We describe an unusual case of primary cystic germinoma originating from the midbrain. A 29-year-old man presented with diplopia, and his MRI showed a cystic, ring-like enhanced lesion in the thalamo-mesencephalic junction. Open biopsy was performed and the diagnosis of germinoma was based upon the histopathological findings. Following chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the symptoms improved and the tumor disappeared. We propose that primary intracranial germinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of midbrain tumors, because early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for midbrain germinoma improves clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Akita Red Cross Hospital, 222-1 Nawashirosawa, Saruta, Kamikitate, Akita 010-1495, Japan. jmaruya@archosp-1998.com
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maruya
authors.forename: Eriko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Narita
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishimaki
authors.forename: Joichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heianna
authors.forename: Takaharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyauchi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Minakawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001706:Biopsy; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020863:Central Nervous System Cysts / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004172:Diplopia / Q000209:etiology; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018237:Germinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000473:pathology*; D011878:Radiotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin