Korean J Med.  2007 Aug;73(2):210-215.

A case of suprasellar germinoma misdiagnosed as lymphocytic hypophysitis

• Kim G
• Park SA
• Hwang HJ
• Lee JY
• Ko SH
• Ahn YB
• Song KH

Abstract

We report here on a case of a 22-year-old girl with a suprasellar mass that was originally diagnosed as lymphocytic hypophysitis, but it eventually turned out to be a germinoma. She initially underwent partial tumor removal and the tissue diagnosis was suggestive of lymphocytic hypophysitis. 46 months later, she presented with a lateral visual field defect and decreased visual acuity of her right eye. The serum and cerebrospinal beta-hCG and alpha-fetoprotein levels were measured. The beta-hCG level was elevated in both, whereas the alpha-fetoprotein level was detectable in neither. The serum anti-pituitary antibody-1 level was negative. She was reoperated and the permanent section biopsies were compatible with pure germinoma. There was no evidence of meningeal metastasis on her whole spine MRI. She was treated with chemotherapy.

Keyword

Germinoma; Lymphocytic hypophysitis; beta-hCG

MeSH Terms

alpha-Fetoproteins
Biopsy
Diagnosis
Drug Therapy
Female
Germinoma*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neoplasm Metastasis
Spine
Visual Acuity
Visual Fields
Young Adult
alpha-Fetoproteins