ABSTRACT
The authors report a patient with recurrent bifocal germinoma of the optical nerves and chiasm after previous combined treatment. The tumor resulted progressive visual acuity loss despite subsequent therapy (glucocorticoid therapy, chemo- and radiotherapy). Differential diagnosis between tumor progression and consequences of radiotherapy was complicated by MRI negative pattern. Subsequent development of the process, signs of anterior visual pathway damage and tumor spread throughout the ventricular system and subarachnoid spaces according to neuroimaging data indicated recurrence of disease.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Germinoma , Pineal Gland , Combined Modality Therapy , Germinoma/diagnostic imaging , Germinoma/therapy , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Optic Nerve/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The analyze the neuro-ophthalmic outcomes in patients with pineal and suprasellar germinoma after complex treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 125 patients (88 males, 37 females) with primary CNS germinoma for the period 2008-2017. All patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the tumor localization: pineal area - 62 patients, suprasellar neoplasm - 38 patients, bifocal germinoma - 25 patients. Treatment was performed in accordance with the «Germinoma-2008¼ protocol. Tumors were histologically patients (partial - 32 cases, subtotal - 16 cases). Surgery was followed by postoperative chemotherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy. The results were evaluated by neuro-ophthalmological examination at all stages of complex treatment. RESULTS: Pineal germinoma resulted oculomotor and pupillary disorders (58 patients - 94%) and papilledema. The last one completely regressed under the treatment. Partial reduction of oculomotor and pupillary abnormalities occurred throughout chemotherapy (6 patients - 10%). More than half of patients (n=24, 63%) with suprasellar germinoma had visual impairment. Improvement of visual functions including severe visual disturbance was observed in 14 patients (58%). Predominantly, functional recovery occurred under chemotherapy (12 patients - 86%). Bifocal germinoma was followed by various combinations of oculomotor, pupillary and/or visual impairments. We observed regression of only mild visual disorders. Stereotactic radiotherapy did not ensure any changes in neuro-ophthalmic symptoms in all groups.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Central Nervous System Neoplasms , Germinoma , Pineal Gland , Female , Germinoma/therapy , Humans , Male , Pineal Gland/diagnostic imaging , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To analyze neuro-ophthalmology symptoms in patients with germinomas located in pineal and suprasellar regions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study analyzed 133 patients with germinoma who were receiving treatment in Burdenko Neuro-surgical Institute from 2008 to 2017. Assessment of results was performed by neuro-ophthalmology examination, a computerized oculograph was used for the objectification of the severity of ocular-motor and pupillary disorders. RESULTS: Among the patients of the study, 65 had pineal germinoma, 42 - suprasellar germinoma and 26 - bifocal germinoma. Among patients with pineal germinomas, males prevailed, while more females had suprasellar germinomas. No statistical difference was found between gender and bifocal germinoma. Pineal germinomas were manifested predominantly by the development of the dorsal midbrain syndrome in the form of oculomotor and pupillary dysfunction (75%) and the development of papilledema (53%). Germinomas of suprasellar localization are most often presented by asymmetric chiasmatic syndrome (24%). Dorsal midbrain syndrome in patients with bifocal germinomas was detected in 76% cases, combination of oculomotor and pupillary dysfunction with visual impairments was found in 38% cases. Neuro-ophthalmological symptoms of germinoma of these regions manifest in the early stages of the disease and require ophthalmological examination during all stages of diagnosis and treatment.
