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Occurrence of Basal Ganglia Germ Cell Tumors Without a Mass ARCHIVES OF NEUROLOGY Almubarak, S., Gan, Y., Steinbok, P., Hendson, G., Poskitt, K., Nadel, H., Goddard, K., Hukin, J. 2009; 66 (6): 789–92

Abstract

To report a case series in which basal ganglia calcifications without mass effect proved to be germ cell tumors.Case series.Tertiary care hospital.Four patients.Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, biopsy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.Recognition of clinical syndrome and radiological features.All patients had progressive hemiparesis, and 1 patient also had frontal lobe dementia. Imaging demonstrated progressive asymmetric signal abnormality with basal ganglia calcification and associated brainstem atrophy. Fludeoxyglucose F 18-positron emission tomography showed hypometabolism in contrast to malignant glioma.Germ cell tumor should be considered in patients with an indolently progressive neurological course, particularly if basal ganglia calcification is present with or without enhancement, asymmetric brain atrophy, or a mass.

View details for DOI 10.1001/archneurol.2009.74

View details for Web of Science ID 000266772200018

View details for PubMedID 19506143