Imaging diagnosis of basal ganglia germ cell tumors: subtype features subtype imaging features of GCTs.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the subtype imaging features of basal ganglia germ cell tumors (GCTs).

METHODS

Clinical and imaging data of 33 basal ganglia GCTs were retrospectively analyzed, including 17 germinomas and 16 mixed germ cell tumors (MGCTs).

RESULTS

The cyst/mass ratio of germinomas (0.53 ± 0.32) was higher than that of MGCTs (0.28 ± 0.19, = 0.030). CT density of the solid part of germinomas (41.47 ± 5.22 Hu) was significantly higher than that of MGCTs (33.64 ± 3.75 Hu, < 0.001), while apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC, × mm/s) value of the solid part was significantly lower in geminomas (0.86 ± 0.27 × mm/s) than in MGCTs (1.42 ± 0.39 × mm/s, < 0.001). MGCTs were more common with intratumoral hemorrhage (68.75% 11.76%, = 0.01), T1 hyperintense foci (68.75% 5.88%, < 0.001) and calcification (64.29% 20.00%, = 0.025) than germinomas. There was no significant difference in internal capsule involvement between the two subtypes ( = 0.303), but Wallerian degeneration was more common in germinomas than in MGCTs (70.59% 25.00%, = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

The subtypes of GCT have different imaging features. Tumoral cystic-solidity, heterogeneity, ADC value, CT density, and Wallerian degeneration are helpful to differentiate germinomas and MGCTs in basal ganglia.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The subtypes of GCT have different histological characteristics, leading to various imaging findings. The imaging features of GCT subtypes in basal ganglia may aid clinical diagnosis and treatment.