Primary Intramedullary Spinal Cord Germinoma: Case Report

A 21-year-old woman presented with an intramedullary spinal cord germinoma and a history of gait disturbance and elimination disorder. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated two isolated lesions, one located within the medulla between T9 and T11, and another at the cauda equina (L2 to L3 levels). After partial reduction of the intramedullary mass, histological findings revealed that the tumor was typical germinoma. Further MR imaging revealed no evidence of intracranial germinoma. Combined chemotherapy (carboplatin and etoposide) and whole spine radiation were performed. Follow-up MR imaging showed that the enhanced mass at the L2-L3 levels had disappeared. No recurrence of the tumor has been detected 3 years after the operation, and no dissemination into the cranial area was detected. Cisplatin and etoposide chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy is recommended for primary spinal germinoma, and is effective for inhibition of both tumor dissemination and recurrence.