[Primary intracranial germinoma. Problems in determining the diagnosis exemplified by 4 cases].

Primary intracranial germinoma is a possible cause of "idiopathic" diabetes insipidus in childhood and adolescence. The histopathologic appearance can be similar to inflammation, and may delay the final diagnosis. Further diagnostic difficulties are demonstrated by the use of anamnestic and clinical data as well as diagnostic imaging findings in four children with histologically proven primary intracranial germinoma.