Delayed diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cord germinoma

Abstract

Germ-cell tumors (GCTs) are common in the central nervous system. GCTs are highly sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and can be cured without radical surgery. However, this tumor produces nonspecific imaging findings, and its rarity can make diagnosis challenging.Here we report a case in which the first diagnosis was uncertain and follow-up imaging revealed intramedullary germinoma. The patient underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy after the diagnosis.