Chonnam Med J.
2001 Jun;37(2):197-201.
Chronic Granulomatous Inflammation in Pineal Germinoma
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
- 2Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
- 3Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
- 4Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
Abstract
- Germinoma associated with chronic granulomatous inflammation of the pineal gland is rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of chronic granulomatous inflammation in pineal germinoma. In a 17-years-old male who suffered from headache for one year, the mass of pineal gland was detected by brain MRI and surgically removed. The initial diagnosis of chronic granulomatous inflammation was made on frozen section during operation. The permanent section revealed a small portion of germinoma, constituting less than 5% of the mass, in the background of chronic granulomatous inflammation. The mechanism that germinoma is associated with chronic granulomatous inflammation has been suggested by its immunologic response. In conclusion, in assessing the pathologic findings of the chronic granulomatous inflammation of the pineal gland, intensive search for the presence of germ cell component should be obligatory.
