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Early imaging findings in germ cell tumors arising from the basal ganglia

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Abstract

Background

It is difficult to diagnosis early stage germ cell tumors originating in the basal ganglia, but early recognition is important for better outcome.

Objective

To evaluate serial MR images of basal ganglia germ cell tumors, with emphasis on the features of early stage tumors.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed serial MR images of 15 tumors in 14 children and young adults. We categorized MR images of the tumors as follows: type I, ill-defined patchy lesions (<3 cm) without cyst; type II, small mass lesions (<3 cm) with cyst; and type III, large lesions (≥3 cm) with cyst. We also assessed temporal changes of the MR images.

Results

On the initial images, 8 of 11 (73%) type I tumors progressed to types II or III, and 3 of 4 (75%) type II tumors progressed to type III. The remaining 4 tumors did not change in type. All type II tumors (5/5, 100%) that changed from type I had a few tiny cysts. Intratumoral hemorrhage was observed even in the type I tumor. Ipsilateral hemiatrophy was observed in most of the tumors (13/15, 87%) on initial MR images. As tumors grew, cystic changes, intratumoral hemorrhage, and ipsilateral hemiatrophy became more apparent.

Conclusion

Early stage basal ganglia germ cell tumors appear as ill-defined small patchy hyperintense lesions without cysts on T2-weighted images, are frequently associated with ipsilateral hemiatrophy, and sometimes show microhemorrhage. Tumors develop tiny cysts at a relatively early stage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea

    So Mi Lee, Hyun-Hae Cho & Sun Kyoung You

  2. Department of Radiology and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea

    In-One Kim, Young Hun Choi, Jung-Eun Cheon & Woo Sun Kim

  3. Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, 807 Hoguk-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41404, Republic of Korea

    So Mi Lee

  4. Department of Radiology, Ewha Woman’s University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

    Hyun-Hae Cho

  5. Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

    Sun Kyoung You

Authors
  1. So Mi Lee
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  2. In-One Kim
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  3. Young Hun Choi
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  4. Jung-Eun Cheon
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  5. Woo Sun Kim
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  6. Hyun-Hae Cho
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  7. Sun Kyoung You
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Correspondence to In-One Kim.

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Lee, S.M., Kim, IO., Choi, Y.H. et al. Early imaging findings in germ cell tumors arising from the basal ganglia. Pediatr Radiol 46, 719–726 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-016-3542-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-016-3542-x

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