CASE REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2014 April;27(2):115-7

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

A case of pure germinoma in the septum pellucidum diagnosed by neuroendoscopic biopsy

Tabuchi S., Uno T.

Department of Neurosurgery Tottori Prefectural Central Hospital, Tottori, Japan

We report a rare case of an intracranial pure germinoma located at the septum pellucidum that was diagnosed by neuroendoscopic biopsy. A 21-year-old man suffering from memory disturbance, right hemiparesis and pain was referred to our hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a heterogeneous enhancing mass in the septum pellucidum spreading to left thalamus, pituitary stalk and splenium. Neuroendoscopic biopsy was performed to obtain a definitive diagnosis. The histological diagnosis was pure germinoma. Chemo- and radiotherapy were given, and the tumor completely disappeared. He was discharged with slight higher brain dysfunction, hypopituitarism and right hemiparesis with no evidence of recurrence after 3 years of follow-up. This is the first case of pure germinoma located in the septum pellucidum that was diagnosed by neuroendoscopic biopsy and had complete remission after treatment with chemo- and radiotherapy.