Management of dual intracranial germinoma by radiotherapy alone

Abstract

Synchronous intracranial germ cell tumor in the pineal and suprasellar region is rare. They represent only 5–10% of all intracranial germinomas. They are also known by the entity “double midline atypical teratoma” and are common in the second decade of life. We report a case of an 11-year-old girl having dual midline intracranial lesions with obstructive hydrocephalus treated by ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Diagnosis of germinoma was made on the basis of imaging and elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in cerebrospinal fluid. Radiotherapy was instituted, which resulted in the total disappearance of both the lesions. Clinical expression, diagnosis and management strategies are discussed.