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Clinical and Radiologic Features of Pediatric Basal Ganglia Germ Cell Tumors
Si Zhang1, Guopeng Liang2, Yan Ju1
1Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Insights
Pediatric basal ganglia germ cell tumors (GCTs) are not as rare as previously thought. This study highlights their distinct clinical and radiological features for better diagnosis and management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Pediatric basal ganglia germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare and poorly understood.
- This study focuses on summarizing their clinical and radiological characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical features of pediatric basal ganglia GCTs.
- To identify key radiological findings in these tumors.
- To discuss diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 12 pediatric patients with basal ganglia GCTs (2010-2015).
- Evaluation of clinical data, radiological findings, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
- Discussion of institutional diagnostic and treatment protocols.
Main Results:
- GCTs constituted 25.5% of pediatric basal ganglia tumors.
- Common symptoms included progressive hemiparesis (75%).
- Lesions often located in the caudate nucleus (75%) with frequent hemiatrophy (66.7%).
- 8 patients had germinomas, 4 had nongerminomatous GCTs.
- Neurological function improved in 70% of patients, with some experiencing new dysfunction or recurrence.
Conclusions:
- Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are more common in the pediatric basal ganglia than previously assumed.
- Distinctive clinical and radiological features aid in diagnosis and management.
- Accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment are crucial for successful outcomes.
Background And Objective:
Pediatric basal ganglia germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent a rare subset of tumors about which little is known. We aimed to summarize the clinical features and radiological findings of this special subgroup of GCTs.
Methods:
From January 2010 to January 2015, 12 pediatric patients with basal ganglia GCTs were treated in our hospital. The clinical features, radiologic findings, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. Our institutional diagnostic principle and treatment strategy of this disease were discussed.
Results:
GCTs accounted for 25.5% of all the pediatric basal ganglia tumors treated in our hospital. There were 9 male and 3 female patients with a mean age of 11.5 ± 2.1 years. The most common symptom was progressive hemiparesis (n = 9, 75%). The radiologic findings showed that the lesions predominately located in caput of caudate nucleus (n = 9, 75.0%), followed by lenticular nucleus (n = 3, 25.0%). Hemiatrophy was commonly observed (n = 8, 66.7%). Eight patients were diagnosed as having germinomas, and 4 patients as having nongerminomatous germ cell tumors. During the follow-up period, preoperative neurologic dysfunctions improved in 7 patients and remained stable in 3. Two patients developed new onset of neurologic dysfunction after the treatment. Two patients suffered from tumor recurrence.
Conclusions:
GCTs are not as rare as considered in pediatric basal ganglia tumors. They bear some distinctive clinical and radiologic features, which can help with the accurate diagnosis and successful management of such tumors.
