Primary extramedullary spinal germinoma: case report and review of the literature

The authors describe a case of a purely primary extramedullary spinal germinoma in a young Chinese male. Primary spinal germinoma is extremely rare tumor. Currently, less than 30 histologically verified spinal germinoma cases have been reported previously, mostly involving Asian of Japanese descent. This 24-year-old male suffered from progressive low back pain radiating to both legs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-demarcated, intradural extramedullary mass at the level of L2 and L3. The lesion was totally removed and was confirmed as a germinoma. Upon histological verification of the tumor, he was treated successfully with radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. This report also reviews the literature pertaining to primary spinal germinoma. Except for 16 cases with intramedullary lesions and five cases with both intra- and extramedullary tumors, there were only three previously reported cases of extramedullary spinal germinomas, all initially presenting with sausage-like lesions. To the authors’ knowledge, it is thought to be the first case of such a tumor, roughly round in shape and extramedullary location. Although rare, primary spinal germinoma do occur and should be included in the differential diagnosis of spinal tumors. Aggressive malignant behavior has been reported and close follow-up is necessary.