Management of Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors Presenting with Rapid Deterioration of Consciousness

Abstract

Objectives: The value of surgical intervention in the management of intracranial germ cell tumors remains controversial. Patients: We report three patients who presented with rapid deterioration of consciousness but resulted in complete remission of the tumor after emergency surgery for both diagnostic (biopsy) and therapeutic (for hydrocephalus) purposes followed by prompt initiation of radiochemotherapy. Conclusion: For management of these rapidly deteriorating patients, immediate histological verification and avoidance of delay in the induction of radiochemotherapy are essential. Thus, emergency surgery with a less invasive procedure is the first choice of treatment, i. e., endoscopic surgery for pineal region tumor and CT-guided biopsy for basal ganglia tumor.

Germ cell tumor - hydrocephalus - endoscopic surgery - biopsy

References

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