Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Child's Nervous System 6/2009

01-06-2009 | Case Report

Pathophysiological mechanism of ipsilateral cerebral and brainstem hemiatrophy in basal ganglia germ cell tumors: case report

Authors: Sui-To Wong, Shing-Chau Yuen, Dawson Fong

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 6/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

The basal ganglia is an uncommon location for germ cell tumors. It has been reported that basal ganglia germinomas and mixed germ cell tumors are associated with ipsilateral cerebral and brainstem hemiatrophy on presentation. Several pathophysiological mechanisms including autoimmune process and direct tumor infiltration of the thalamus or the internal capsule have been postulated to explain this association.

Case reports

The authors report two boys, aged 7 and 10, with basal ganglia germ cell tumors. Both of them presented with gradual onset of hemiparesis and had features of ipsilateral cerebral and brainstem hemiatrophy on imaging studies. They underwent chemotherapy followed by reduced dose radiotherapy with good response.

Discussion

Pathophysiological mechanisms of the associated ipsilateral cerebral and brainstem hemiatrophy are discussed. The authors postulate that the gradual obliteration of the perforating arteries to the diencephalon especially the lenticulostriate arteries of the prebifurcation middle cerebral artery may be the major mechanism of the associated hemiatrophy.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Donzelli R, Marinkovic S, Brigante L, de Divitiis O, Nikodijevic I, Schonauer C, Maiuri F (1998) Territories of the perforating (lenticulostriate) branches of the middle cerebral artery. Surg Radiol Anat 20:393–398PubMedCrossRef Donzelli R, Marinkovic S, Brigante L, de Divitiis O, Nikodijevic I, Schonauer C, Maiuri F (1998) Territories of the perforating (lenticulostriate) branches of the middle cerebral artery. Surg Radiol Anat 20:393–398PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Echevarria ME, Fangusaro J, Goldman S (2008) Pediatric central nervous system germ cell tumors: a review. Oncologist 13:690–699PubMedCrossRef Echevarria ME, Fangusaro J, Goldman S (2008) Pediatric central nervous system germ cell tumors: a review. Oncologist 13:690–699PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Hamada H, Awa H, Kadota K, Kobayashi E, Asakura T (1977) Ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy and precocious puberty produced by astrocytoma—a case report. No Shinkei Geka 5:1181–1187 JapanesePubMed Hamada H, Awa H, Kadota K, Kobayashi E, Asakura T (1977) Ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy and precocious puberty produced by astrocytoma—a case report. No Shinkei Geka 5:1181–1187 JapanesePubMed
4.
go back to reference Higano S, Takahashi S, Ishii K, Matsumoto K, Ikeda H, Sakamoto K (1994) Germinoma originating in the basal ganglia and thalamus: MR and CT evaluation. Am J Neuroradiol 15:1435–1441PubMed Higano S, Takahashi S, Ishii K, Matsumoto K, Ikeda H, Sakamoto K (1994) Germinoma originating in the basal ganglia and thalamus: MR and CT evaluation. Am J Neuroradiol 15:1435–1441PubMed
5.
go back to reference Jayakumar PN, Rao TV, Arya BY, Jain VK (1987) Hemiatrophy and glioblastoma. Surg Neurol 27:291–294PubMedCrossRef Jayakumar PN, Rao TV, Arya BY, Jain VK (1987) Hemiatrophy and glioblastoma. Surg Neurol 27:291–294PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Kim CH, Paek SH, Park IA, Chi JG, Kim DG (2002) Cerebral germinomas with hemiatrophy of the brain: report of three cases. Acta Neurochir 144:145–150CrossRef Kim CH, Paek SH, Park IA, Chi JG, Kim DG (2002) Cerebral germinomas with hemiatrophy of the brain: report of three cases. Acta Neurochir 144:145–150CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Kim DI, Yoon PH, Ryu YH, Jeon P, Hwang GJ (1998) MRI of germinomas arising from the basal ganglia and thalamus. Neuroradiology 40:507–511PubMedCrossRef Kim DI, Yoon PH, Ryu YH, Jeon P, Hwang GJ (1998) MRI of germinomas arising from the basal ganglia and thalamus. Neuroradiology 40:507–511PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Klein O, Voirin J, Civit T, Auque J, Marchal JC (2007) Germinoma located in the basal ganglia in an 8-year-old girl. Childs Nerv Syst 23:105–108PubMedCrossRef Klein O, Voirin J, Civit T, Auque J, Marchal JC (2007) Germinoma located in the basal ganglia in an 8-year-old girl. Childs Nerv Syst 23:105–108PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Kuhn MJ, Johnson KA, Davis KR (1988) Wallerian degeneration: evaluation with MR imaging. Radiology 168:199–202PubMed Kuhn MJ, Johnson KA, Davis KR (1988) Wallerian degeneration: evaluation with MR imaging. Radiology 168:199–202PubMed
10.
go back to reference Kuhn MJ, Mikulis DJ, Ayoub DM, Kosofsky BE, Davis KR, Taveras JM (1989) Wallerian degeneration after cerebral infarction: evaluation with sequential MR imaging. Radiology 172:179–182PubMed Kuhn MJ, Mikulis DJ, Ayoub DM, Kosofsky BE, Davis KR, Taveras JM (1989) Wallerian degeneration after cerebral infarction: evaluation with sequential MR imaging. Radiology 172:179–182PubMed
11.
go back to reference Kumar N, Kotagal S, Parisi JE, Westmoreland BF (2006) Cerebral hemiatrophy with superficial siderosis and PLEDs due to a germ cell tumor of the basal ganglia. Eur J Neurol 13:904–907PubMedCrossRef Kumar N, Kotagal S, Parisi JE, Westmoreland BF (2006) Cerebral hemiatrophy with superficial siderosis and PLEDs due to a germ cell tumor of the basal ganglia. Eur J Neurol 13:904–907PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Kwak R, Saso SI, Suzuki J (1978) Ipsilateral cerebral atrophy with thalamic tumor of childhood. Case report. J Neurosurg 48:443–449PubMed Kwak R, Saso SI, Suzuki J (1978) Ipsilateral cerebral atrophy with thalamic tumor of childhood. Case report. J Neurosurg 48:443–449PubMed
13.
go back to reference Liu E, Robertson RL, du Plessis A, Pomeroy SL (1999) Basal ganglia germinoma with progressive cerebral hemiatrophy. Pediatr Neurol 20:312–314PubMedCrossRef Liu E, Robertson RL, du Plessis A, Pomeroy SL (1999) Basal ganglia germinoma with progressive cerebral hemiatrophy. Pediatr Neurol 20:312–314PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Maehara T, Machida T, Tsuchiya K, Iio M (1983) Brain tumors with ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy. AJNR 4:478–480PubMed Maehara T, Machida T, Tsuchiya K, Iio M (1983) Brain tumors with ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy. AJNR 4:478–480PubMed
15.
go back to reference Marinkovic S, Gibo H, Milisavljevic M, Cetkovic M (2001) Anatomic and clinical correlations of the lenticulostriate arteries. Clin Anat 14:190–195PubMedCrossRef Marinkovic S, Gibo H, Milisavljevic M, Cetkovic M (2001) Anatomic and clinical correlations of the lenticulostriate arteries. Clin Anat 14:190–195PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Marinkovic SV, Milisavljevic MM, Kovacevic MS, Stevic ZD (1985) Perforating branches of the middle cerebral artery. Microsurgical anatomy of their intracerebral segments. Stroke 16:1022–1029PubMed Marinkovic SV, Milisavljevic MM, Kovacevic MS, Stevic ZD (1985) Perforating branches of the middle cerebral artery. Microsurgical anatomy of their intracerebral segments. Stroke 16:1022–1029PubMed
17.
go back to reference Matula C (2005) Tumors of the pineal region. In: Rengachary SS, Ellenbogen RG (eds) Principles of neurosurgery, . nd edn. 2nd edn. Elsevier, Mosby, pp 509–511 Matula C (2005) Tumors of the pineal region. In: Rengachary SS, Ellenbogen RG (eds) Principles of neurosurgery, . nd edn. 2nd edn. Elsevier, Mosby, pp 509–511
18.
go back to reference Mutoh K, Okuno T, Ito M et al (1988) Ipsilateral atrophy in children with hemispheric cerebral tumors: CT findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 12:740–743PubMedCrossRef Mutoh K, Okuno T, Ito M et al (1988) Ipsilateral atrophy in children with hemispheric cerebral tumors: CT findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 12:740–743PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Nagata K, Nikaido Y, Yuasa T, Fujimoto K, Kim YJ, Inoue M (1998) Germinoma causing wallerian degeneration. Case report and review of literature. J Neurosurg 88:126–128PubMed Nagata K, Nikaido Y, Yuasa T, Fujimoto K, Kim YJ, Inoue M (1998) Germinoma causing wallerian degeneration. Case report and review of literature. J Neurosurg 88:126–128PubMed
20.
go back to reference Nakagawa Y, Hamajima I, Iwasaki Y, Yada K, Kunita H (1973) Ipsilateral cerebral atrophy caused by ectopic pinealoma. Brain Nerve 25:69–75 Nakagawa Y, Hamajima I, Iwasaki Y, Yada K, Kunita H (1973) Ipsilateral cerebral atrophy caused by ectopic pinealoma. Brain Nerve 25:69–75
21.
go back to reference Ogino H, Shibamoto Y, Takanaka T, Suzuki K, Ishihara S, Yamada T et al (2005) CNS germinoma with elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin level: clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 62:803–808PubMed Ogino H, Shibamoto Y, Takanaka T, Suzuki K, Ishihara S, Yamada T et al (2005) CNS germinoma with elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin level: clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 62:803–808PubMed
22.
go back to reference Okamoto K, Ito J, Ishikawa K, Morii K, Yamada M, Takahashi N, Tokiguchi S, Furusawa T, Sakai K (2002) Atrophy of the basal ganglia as the initial diagnostic sign of germinoma in the basal ganglia. Neuroradiology 44:389–394PubMedCrossRef Okamoto K, Ito J, Ishikawa K, Morii K, Yamada M, Takahashi N, Tokiguchi S, Furusawa T, Sakai K (2002) Atrophy of the basal ganglia as the initial diagnostic sign of germinoma in the basal ganglia. Neuroradiology 44:389–394PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Ono N, Inoue HK, Naganuma H, Misumi S, Tamura M (1986) Germ cell tumor in the basal ganglia: immunohistochemical demonstration of alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Surg Neurol 25:495–500PubMedCrossRef Ono N, Inoue HK, Naganuma H, Misumi S, Tamura M (1986) Germ cell tumor in the basal ganglia: immunohistochemical demonstration of alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Surg Neurol 25:495–500PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Osuka S, Tsuboi K, Takano S, Ishikawa E, Matsushita A, Tokuuye K, Akine Y, Matsumura A (2007) Long-term outcome of patients with intracranial germinomas. J Neurooncol 83:71–79PubMedCrossRef Osuka S, Tsuboi K, Takano S, Ishikawa E, Matsushita A, Tokuuye K, Akine Y, Matsumura A (2007) Long-term outcome of patients with intracranial germinomas. J Neurooncol 83:71–79PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Ozelame RV, Shroff M, Wood B, Bouffet E, Bartels U, Drake JM, Hawkins C, Blaser S (2006) Basal ganglia germinoma in children with associated ipsilateral cerebral and brain stem hemiatrophy. Pediatr Radiol 36:325–330PubMedCrossRef Ozelame RV, Shroff M, Wood B, Bouffet E, Bartels U, Drake JM, Hawkins C, Blaser S (2006) Basal ganglia germinoma in children with associated ipsilateral cerebral and brain stem hemiatrophy. Pediatr Radiol 36:325–330PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Pistorius MA, Enginger V, Mussini JM, Planchon B (1994) Cerebral atrophy of vascular origin in the course of neurofibromatosis. J Mal Vasc 19:315–319 FrenchPubMed Pistorius MA, Enginger V, Mussini JM, Planchon B (1994) Cerebral atrophy of vascular origin in the course of neurofibromatosis. J Mal Vasc 19:315–319 FrenchPubMed
27.
go back to reference Rhoton AL (2002) The supratentorial arteries. Neurosurgery 51(Suppl 1):s98–s106 Rhoton AL (2002) The supratentorial arteries. Neurosurgery 51(Suppl 1):s98–s106
28.
go back to reference Rozental JM, Levine RL, Nickles RJ, Dobkin JA, Hanson JM (1990) Cerebral diaschisis in patients with malignant glioma. J Neurooncol 8:153–161PubMedCrossRef Rozental JM, Levine RL, Nickles RJ, Dobkin JA, Hanson JM (1990) Cerebral diaschisis in patients with malignant glioma. J Neurooncol 8:153–161PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Sakai K, Shigeta H (1999) Serial MR and CT features of primary germinoma originating in the basal ganglia. J Clin Neurosci 6:162–164PubMedCrossRef Sakai K, Shigeta H (1999) Serial MR and CT features of primary germinoma originating in the basal ganglia. J Clin Neurosci 6:162–164PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Sartori S, Laverda AM, Calderone M, Carollo C, Viscardi E, Faggin R, Perilongo G (2007) Germinoma with synchronous involvement of midline and off-midline structures associated with progressive hemiparesis and hemiatrophy in a young adult. Childs Nerv Syst 23:1341–1345PubMedCrossRef Sartori S, Laverda AM, Calderone M, Carollo C, Viscardi E, Faggin R, Perilongo G (2007) Germinoma with synchronous involvement of midline and off-midline structures associated with progressive hemiparesis and hemiatrophy in a young adult. Childs Nerv Syst 23:1341–1345PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Sudo A, Shiga T, Okajiama M, Takano K, Terae S, Sawamura Y, Ohnishi A, Nagashima K, Saitoh S (2003) High uptake on 11Cmethionine positron emission tomographic scan of basal ganglia germinoma with cerebral hemiatrophy. Am J Neuroradiol 24:1909–1911PubMed Sudo A, Shiga T, Okajiama M, Takano K, Terae S, Sawamura Y, Ohnishi A, Nagashima K, Saitoh S (2003) High uptake on 11Cmethionine positron emission tomographic scan of basal ganglia germinoma with cerebral hemiatrophy. Am J Neuroradiol 24:1909–1911PubMed
32.
go back to reference Takeda N, Fujita K, Katayama S, Uchihash Y, Okamura Y, Nigami H, Hashimoto K, Kohmura E (2004) Germinoma of the basal ganglia: an 8-year asymptomatic history after detection of abnormality on CT. Pediatr Neurosurg 40:306–311PubMedCrossRef Takeda N, Fujita K, Katayama S, Uchihash Y, Okamura Y, Nigami H, Hashimoto K, Kohmura E (2004) Germinoma of the basal ganglia: an 8-year asymptomatic history after detection of abnormality on CT. Pediatr Neurosurg 40:306–311PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Tamaki N, Lin T, Shirataki K, Hosoda K, Kurata H, Matsumoto S, Ito H (1990) Germ cell tumors of the thalamus and the basal ganglia. Childs Nerv Syst 6:3–7PubMedCrossRef Tamaki N, Lin T, Shirataki K, Hosoda K, Kurata H, Matsumoto S, Ito H (1990) Germ cell tumors of the thalamus and the basal ganglia. Childs Nerv Syst 6:3–7PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Tang J, Ma Z, Luo S, Zhang Y, Jia G, Zhang J (2008) The germinomas arising from the basal ganglia and thalamus. Childs Nerv Syst 24:303–306PubMedCrossRef Tang J, Ma Z, Luo S, Zhang Y, Jia G, Zhang J (2008) The germinomas arising from the basal ganglia and thalamus. Childs Nerv Syst 24:303–306PubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Tatu L, Moulin T, Bogousslavsky J, Duvernoy H (1998) Arterial territories of the human brain: cerebral hemispheres. Neurology 50:1699–1708PubMed Tatu L, Moulin T, Bogousslavsky J, Duvernoy H (1998) Arterial territories of the human brain: cerebral hemispheres. Neurology 50:1699–1708PubMed
36.
go back to reference Ture U, Yasargil MG, Al-Mefty O, Yasargil DCH (2000) Arteries of the insula. J Neurosurg 92:676–687PubMedCrossRef Ture U, Yasargil MG, Al-Mefty O, Yasargil DCH (2000) Arteries of the insula. J Neurosurg 92:676–687PubMedCrossRef
37.
go back to reference Uchino A, Takase Y, Nomiyama K, Egashira R, Kudo S (2006) Brainstem and cerebellar changes after cerebrovascular accidents: magnetic resonance imaging. Eur Radiol 16:592–597PubMedCrossRef Uchino A, Takase Y, Nomiyama K, Egashira R, Kudo S (2006) Brainstem and cerebellar changes after cerebrovascular accidents: magnetic resonance imaging. Eur Radiol 16:592–597PubMedCrossRef
38.
go back to reference Wintermark P, Meagher-Villemure K, Villemure JG, Maeder-Ingvar M, Maeder P, Ghariani S, Roulet-Perez E (2007) Progressive unilateral hemispheric atrophy in an infant with neurofibromatosis. Neuropediatrics 38:100–104PubMedCrossRef Wintermark P, Meagher-Villemure K, Villemure JG, Maeder-Ingvar M, Maeder P, Ghariani S, Roulet-Perez E (2007) Progressive unilateral hemispheric atrophy in an infant with neurofibromatosis. Neuropediatrics 38:100–104PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Wong TT, Chen YW, Guo WY, Chang KP, Ho DM, Yen SH (2008) Germinoma involving the basal ganglia in children. Childs Nerv Syst 24:71–78PubMedCrossRef Wong TT, Chen YW, Guo WY, Chang KP, Ho DM, Yen SH (2008) Germinoma involving the basal ganglia in children. Childs Nerv Syst 24:71–78PubMedCrossRef
40.
go back to reference Wong TT, Ho DM, Chang KP, Yen SH, Guo WY, Chang FC, Liang ML, Pan HC, Chung WY (2005) Primary pediatric brain tumors: statistics of Taipei VGH, Taiwan (1975–2004). Cancer 104(10):2156–2167PubMedCrossRef Wong TT, Ho DM, Chang KP, Yen SH, Guo WY, Chang FC, Liang ML, Pan HC, Chung WY (2005) Primary pediatric brain tumors: statistics of Taipei VGH, Taiwan (1975–2004). Cancer 104(10):2156–2167PubMedCrossRef
41.
go back to reference Yasargil MG (1984) Microneurosurgery, vol. I. Microsurgical anatomy of the basal cisterns and vessels of the brain, diagnostic studies, general operative techniques and pathological considerations of the intracranial aneurysms. Thieme, Stuttgart, pp 144–150 Yasargil MG (1984) Microneurosurgery, vol. I. Microsurgical anatomy of the basal cisterns and vessels of the brain, diagnostic studies, general operative techniques and pathological considerations of the intracranial aneurysms. Thieme, Stuttgart, pp 144–150
42.
go back to reference Yasargil MG (1998) Microneurosurgery. Vol. IVB. Microneurosurgery of CNS tumors. Thieme, Stuttgart, p 263 Yasargil MG (1998) Microneurosurgery. Vol. IVB. Microneurosurgery of CNS tumors. Thieme, Stuttgart, p 263
43.
go back to reference Yasargil MG, Krisht AF, Ture U, Al-Mefty O, Yasargil DCH (2002) Microsurgery of insular gliomas part I: surgical anatomy of the sylvian cistern. Contemp Neurosurg 24(11):1–8 Yasargil MG, Krisht AF, Ture U, Al-Mefty O, Yasargil DCH (2002) Microsurgery of insular gliomas part I: surgical anatomy of the sylvian cistern. Contemp Neurosurg 24(11):1–8
Metadata
Title
Pathophysiological mechanism of ipsilateral cerebral and brainstem hemiatrophy in basal ganglia germ cell tumors: case report
Authors
Sui-To Wong
Shing-Chau Yuen
Dawson Fong
Publication date
01-06-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 6/2009
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-008-0787-1

Other articles of this Issue 6/2009

Child's Nervous System 6/2009 Go to the issue