[Computerized tomography in the diagnosis and follow-up of 3 cases of primary suprasellar germinoma].

Three cases of primitive suprasellar germinomas are reported: the tumors show typical clinical signs (diabetes insipidus, visual disturbances and anterior pituitary dysfunctions), but CT findings are not so specific. It is very important to reach a correct diagnosis based on clinical and radiological findings, because of a very high radiosensibility of the tumor. The accuracy of preoperative diagnosis has been enhanced by CT in addition to conventional neuroradiological examinations. Due to the possible risk of meningeal spreading following biopsy, some authors prefer to avoid biopsy and to treat directly the patient by radiotherapy; a rapid reduction of the tumor size at the dose of 30 Gy suggests a possible germinoma.