A GIANT GERMINOMA MIMICS HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA: A RARE FORM OF THALAMIC REGION TUMOR

Abstract

A fourteen-year-old boy initially presented with weakness in the right extremity, worsening in the last three months with stiffness and convulsions in his right extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed an intra-axial tumor measuring 8.3x7.3x6.8 cm, leading to obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient’s condition suddenly worsened with decreased consciousness, and then emergency surgery was performed for tumor resection and external ventricular drainage before switching to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt on the fifth day after surgery. Histopathological examination revealed a germinoma, which is rare in the thalamic region. The patient responded well to radiation therapy after surgery. Ectopic GCT may be difficult to differentiate on radiological examination alone. The current case was initially diagnosed as a high-grade glioma based on radiological findings. A definite diagnosis can be made only after a histopathological examination, which requires a tissue sample. Therefore, many tumors are surgically excised for biopsy purposes A good preoperative examination is very important to determine the approach to patient management. Furthermore, radiotherapy is mandatory for germinoma because of its radiosensitivity.