[Diagnosis and treatment of sellar germinoma]

Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 2003 Jun;25(3):350-3.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

That eleven patients with sellar germinomas were confirmed by pathological examinations were retrospectively reviewed. In the 11 patients, 2 were males and 9 were females. Mean age was 16.8 years old and mean history was 2.6 years. Among them, 11 patients had diabetes insipidus, 6 patients had visual disturbances, 5 patients had retarded growth, and 5 patients had hypopituitary function. The diameter of tumor was 1-3 cm in 8 cases and greater than 3 cm in 3 cases. MRI showed hypointensity or homogeneous on T1-weighted images in 8 cases. The tumors were fibrous, purple grey or reddish in color with rich blood supply. Germinomas were confirmed by postoperative pathological examinations. All patients received postoperative irradiation. Postoperative follow-up was from 3 months to 6 years. Diabetes insipidus was improved in 9 cases. Visual function were improved in 4 cases, but hypopituitarism and retarded growth were unchanged. In conclusion, when MRI shows sellar parenchyma tumor with unclear boundary in young patients with diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism, sellar germinoma should be highly suspected. Otherwise, radiation therapy may profitably aid to confirm the diagnosis since irradiation is the main treatment of sellar germinomas.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Germinoma / diagnosis*
  • Germinoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pineal Gland
  • Pinealoma / diagnosis*
  • Pinealoma / surgery
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sella Turcica