The germinomas arising from the basal ganglia and thalamus.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the features of germinomas arising from the basal ganglia (BG) and thalamus.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis was done with the clinical cases of germinomas in BG and thalamus from 1996 to 2000. The data included the symptoms, signs, neuroimaging findings, treatment, and outcomes.

RESULT

Fourteen cases were included, only one female was included. The main symptoms are disorder of numbness and weakness in limbs. Neuroimaging showed no or mild peritumor high signal in T2 weighted imaging of magnetic resonance, accompanied with cyst, calcification or bleeding. Total gross resection was obtained in nine cases, subtotal resection in four. Follow-up data were available in 11 cases with average of 56 months. Eight cases underwent only postoperative radiotherapy, one underwent only chemotherapy, and two underwent both. One case died of complication 6 months after chemotherapy, the rest lived good life.

CONCLUSION

Germinoma in BG and thalamus predominate in a boy. The neuroimaging features are very informative for diagnosis. Surgical resection should not be the first choice although it is has lesser complications. The long-term outcome is favorable.