doiSerbia

Intracranial yolk sac tumor in an adult patient: MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging and 1H MR spectroscopy features

Mačvanski Marija (Radiology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade)
Ristić-Baloš Dragana (Radiology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade)
Vasić Brankica (Radiology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade)
Lavrnić Slobodan (Radiology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade)
Gavrilović Svetlana (Radiology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade)
Milićević Mihajlo (Neurosurgery Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade)
Milenković Sanja (Pathology Department, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun, Belgrade)
Stošić-Opinćal Tatjana (Radiology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade)

Introduction. Yolk sac tumors represent only 5%-7% of intracranial germ cell tumors, which comprise about 1% of all primary brain tumors in adults. Literature data about nonspecific imaging characteristics of these tumors are scant. We presented magnetic resonance imaging findings with diffusion-weighted imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of this rare type of tumor in an adult patient. Case report. A 55-year-old man with progressive left side weakness, headache, dizziness and ataxia, underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After surgical resection and histological analysis, the final diagnosis of yolk sac tumor was established. Retrospective imaging analysis were performed in order to determine imaging and biochemical parameters that could be useful in the diagnostic evaluation of this tumor type. Conclusion. Though the imaging features of yolk sac tumor are not specific, morphoanatomical and metabolic imaging could offer the information that provides new insights into this tumor that may facilitate further therapeutic decision process and potentially provides better information regarding the disease prognosis.

Keywords: brain neoplasms, endodermal sinus tumor, diagnosis, diagnostic techniques and procedures, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, alpha-fetoproteins