Germinoma Mimicking Brain Inflammation: A Case Report

The authors report a case of a germinoma of the brain in the child with symptoms restricted to central nervous system. Ten-year-old girl presented initially with sight deterioration, learning difficulties, abnormal behavior, polydipsia, and polyuria. Brain magnetic resonance examination revealed T2...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Katarzyna Pierzchlewicz MD, Małgorzata Bilska MD, PhD, Elżbieta Jurkiewicz MD, PhD, Dariusz Chmielewski MD, Elżbieta Moszczyńska MD, PhD, Paweł Daszkiewicz MD, PhD, Maciej Ciołkowski MD, PhD, Wiesława Grajkowska MD, PhD, Katarzyna Kotulska MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2019-05-01
Series:Child Neurology Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2329048X19848181
Description
Summary:The authors report a case of a germinoma of the brain in the child with symptoms restricted to central nervous system. Ten-year-old girl presented initially with sight deterioration, learning difficulties, abnormal behavior, polydipsia, and polyuria. Brain magnetic resonance examination revealed T2 hyperintensity of the corpus callosum, anterior commissure, and caudate nuclei. Brain biopsy revealed extensive macrophage infiltration. Given these results and positive antinuclear antibodies in the blood, immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory treatment was implemented but it was not effective. The patient developed progressive quadriparesis, sleep disturbances, and dementia. Second brain biopsy was performed and it revealed germinoma cells. Chemotherapy was administered, but the girl died due to disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. The reported case shows an unusual coexistence of germinoma with prominent inflammation in the brain and highlights the importance of brain biopsy in such complex cases.
ISSN:2329-048X