MRI of intracranial germ cell tumors

Abstract

We reviewed MRI findings in proven intracranial germ cell tumours in 22 cases, 12 of whom received Gd-DTPA. On T1-weighted images, the signal intensity of the tumour parenchyma was moderately low in 19 cases and isointense in 3; on T2-weighted images, it was high in all cases. Regions of different intensity thought to be cysts were found in 17 (77%): 7 of 12 patients with germinoma (58%) and in all other cases. Of the 13 patients with pineal lesions T1-weighted sagittal images showed the aqueduct to be obstructed in 5, stenotic in 7 and normal in 1. Strong contrast enhancement was observed in all 12 cases. Of the 14 patients with suprasellar lesions, 5 were found to have an intrasellar extension, and in 3 of these, the normal pituitary gland, which could be distinguished from the tumour, was displaced anteriorly. Ten patients (45%) had multiple lesions.

Radiological Features of Germinoma Arising From Atypical Locations-Three Case Reports-

“…2,12,18,20) Such tumors located in other regions are most often multiple lesions also occurring in the pineal region, suprasellar area, or basal ganglia. 12,18) Only 3.2% of solitary tumors occur at other sites.…”

“…2,12,18,20) Such tumors located in other regions are most often multiple lesions also occurring in the pineal region, suprasellar area, or basal ganglia. 12,18) Only 3.2% of solitary tumors occur at other sites. 12) Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings have been described for germinoma in the corona radiata, 16) frontal lobe, 15) cerebellopontine angle, 1,3,10) and medulla oblongata.…”

Diagnostic imaging of intracranial germ cell tumors. Review.

“…On T1-weighted MRI (the most basic MRI scanning), they appear as a well demarcated mass with a slightly low signal intensity. On T2-weighted images (which is another basic MRI scanning and in which tissues containing more water molecules show high signal) the germinomas show slightly high intensity (Figure 4) [9,[12][13][14]. Teratomas appear as heterogeneous masses, since they contain many histological elements [9,12,14].…”

Germinoma With Syncytiotrophoblastic Giant Cells Arising in the Corpus Callosum -Case Report-

“…Germ cell tumors including germinomas in the corpus callosum are very rare and are usually associated with other intracranial lesions. 1,7,9,11,[16][17][18][19][20] Only one of 153 germ cell tumors was located in the corpus callosum (0.7%). 11) The reason for the low incidence of germ cell tumors arising at the corpus callosum is unclear, but may be related to the pathogenesis of intracranial germ cell tumors.…”

“…Only 11 patients with germ cell tumors in the corpus callosum have been reported, 1,7,9,11,[16][17][18][19][20] all associated other intracranial lesions including disseminated periventricular tumors, adjacent cerebral parenchymal lesions, and so-called favorite site lesions (Table 1). Patients with corpus callosum germ cell tumors tended to be older (mean ± standard deviation [SD] 23.7 ± 10.9 years) than patients with more common intracranial germinomas.…”