Primary frontoparietal lobe convexity germinoma with dural invasion mimics meningioma

Abstract

Intracranial germinomas are rare and account for only 0.4-3.4% of primary intracranial tumors. They develop mainly in the midline structures in adolescents. The pineal gland is the most common site of this tumor. Here, we describe an unusual case of a giant primary intracranial germinoma located in the intracranial hemisphere with radiological findings that mimicked a meningioma. The clinical diagnosis of the intracranial germinoma was difficult because of its unusual clinical presentation, the location of the lesion, and atypical imaging findings. Based on this case study, we suggest that germinoma might be a possible diagnosis when a tumor of the hemispheres with dura invasion mimics meningioma, especially in young patients. Furthermore, we recommend that frozen biopsy sections should be taken routinely during surgery to aid in rapid diagnosis and effective therapy.