Germ cell tumor presenting as sellar mass with suprasellar extension and long history of hypopituitarism.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Primary central nervous system germ cell tumors are rare neoplasms usually located in the pineal and/or suprasellar region. Pure germinomas do not usually secrete beta-human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (beta-HCG) or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and diagnosis is made a few weeks or months after beginning of symptoms.

CASE:

Here we report a case of a pure germinoma in a 20 year-old woman presenting as a sellar mass with suprasellar extension, abnormal serum beta-HCG and a long history of polyuria and polydipsia (4 years), that was initially diagnosed as a pituitary macroadenoma.

CONCLUSION:

This presentation highlights the importance of thinking in alternative diagnosis to pituitary adenoma when diabetes insipidus is the initial symptom.

• Authors: Leandro Kasuki Jomori de Pinho, Leonardo Vieira Neto, Leila Maria Cardão Chimelli, Emerson Leandro Gasparetto, Leila Warszawski, Antônio Aversa Dutra do Souto, Mônica R Gadelha
• Journal: Neuro endocrinology letters (Neuro Endocrinol Lett) Vol. 31 Issue 3 Pg. 306-9 ( 2010) ISSN: 0172-780X [Print] Sweden
• PMID: 20588244 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Germinoma (complications, pathology)
• Humans
• Hypopituitarism (complications)
• Pituitary Neoplasms (complications, pathology)
• Sella Turcica (pathology)
• Young Adult