MRI OF GERMINOMAS ARISING FROM THE BASAL GANGLIA AND THALAMUS

We reviewed the MRI findings of germinomas originating from the basal ganglia, thalamus or deep white matter in 13 patients with 14 germinom as, excluding those in the suprasellar or pineal regions. Ten cases we re confirmed as germinomas by stereotaxic biopsy, three by partial and one by total removal of the tumour. Analysis was focussed on the loca tion and the signal characteristic of the tumour, haemorrhage, cysts w ithin the tumour and any other associated findings. Thirteen of the tu mours were in the basal ganglia and one in the thalamus. Haemorrhage w as observed in seven patients, while twelve showed multiple cysts. Ass ociated ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy was seen in three patients. T he signal intensity of the parenchymal germinomas was heterogeneous on T1- and T2-weighted images due to haemorrhage, cysts and solid portio ns. We also report the MRI findings of germinomas in an early stage in two patients.