Primary Paravertebral Germ Cell Tumor Demonstrated by FDG PET/CT

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCTs) are uncommon neoplasms.
• They typically arise in the anterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum, pineal, or suprasellar regions.

Observation:

• A 29-year-old male presented with a paravertebral mass adjacent to the T8 and T9 vertebrae.
• Imaging with MRI and FDG PET/CT revealed intense radiotracer uptake and invasion of the adjacent rib.

Findings:

• Postoperative histopathology confirmed the mass as a germ cell tumor.
• This diagnosis was established despite the unusual location.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering EGCTs in the differential diagnosis of paravertebral masses.
• It expands the known anatomical distribution for these rare tumors.