Management of pineal region tumors

Opinion statement Tumors of the pineal region represent a diverse collection of tumors with a variety of natural histories. This diversity necessitates accurate histologic diagnosis to allow rational therapeutic planning. Evaluation of a pineal lesion should begin with craniospinal MRI and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Whereas certainty of the histologic diagnosis is now a requirement for treatment in Western nations, some Asian centers continue to recommend a test dose of radiation therapy based on the high incidence of germinoma in those countries. If there is high clinical suspicion of a germinoma or tectal glioma, stereotactic or endoscopic biopsy may be pursued. All other lesions should be referred for open biopsy with microsurgical techniques. This approach provides adequate tissue for diagnosis, may be curative in low-grade tumors, and may substantially improve survival in patients with malignant tumors. If open surgery is not desired by the patient or practitioner, stereotactic or endoscopic biopsy may be followed by radiosurgery for localized, well-demarcated tumors. Radiation therapy is the first-line therapy for germinomas. Although the optimal radiation dosage and volume have not been decided, the current Children's Oncology Group trial may offer definitive evidence to address this dilemma in germ cell tumors. Evidence of CSF seeding requires craniospinal radiation and adjuvant chemotherapy regardless of tumor type. Diagnosis of any of the malignant tumors (non-germ cell tumors, pineoblastomas, and parenchymal tumors of intermediate determination) also requires craniospinal radiation (with local tumor doses of at least 50 Gy) and adjuvant chemotherapy (generally platinum based). Patients with tectal gliomas may undergo excision with or without postoperative radiation; however, they also may be observed with vigilant follow-up alone.     

Pathology of pineal region tumors

Various histological types of tumors arise in the pineal region. The most common tumors are pineal parenchymal tumors and germ cell tumors. Pineal parenchymal tumors are divided into pineocytoma, pineal parenchymal tumor with intermediate differentiation and pineoblastoma. Pineocytomas are well-differentiated tumors and retain the morphological and immunohistochemical features of pineal parenchymal cells. Lobular architectures and pineocytomatous rosettes are also typical features. In contrast, pineoblastomas are embryonal tumors resembling primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET). However, pineoblastomas are distinct from PNET in other sites due to their exhibiting photosensory differentiation including Flexner–Wintersteiner rosettes and fleurettes. Although pineal cysts are tumor-like lesions, and not true neoplasms, they are occasionally difficult to distinguish from pineocytoma and astrocytoma. From the therapeutic aspect, a precise differential diagnosis is critical.The pineal region is the most common site of the brain in which germ cell tumors occur. Germinoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor and choriocarcinoma are encountered, and the latter three types of tumors usually constitute elements of mixed germ cell tumors. The morphological and immunohistochemical features of intracranial germ cell tumors are very similar to those of gonadal germ cell tumors, although there are some differences in germinoma. Pineal germinoma may exhibit carcinomatous differentiation.Other types of tumors are occasionally observed, including fibrillary and pilocytic astrocytoma, glioblastoma, ependymoma, melanoma, meningioma and so on. Metastatic pineal tumors are also rare. The most common site of origin for pineal metastasis is the lung.     

Correlation of endoscopic biopsy with tumor marker status in primary intracranial germ cell tumors

Summary We retrospectively analyzed the results of eight patients who underwent endoscopic biopsy of a newly diagnosed primary intracranial germ cell tumor (GCT), and correlated tumor pathology with serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumor markers and treatment outcome in order to determine the reliability of GCT sampling by this method. A biopsy diagnosis was made in each patient, and the tumor histology correlated with tumor marker measurements for all six patients diagnosed with germinoma and for one with a yolk sac tumor. One biopsy revealed only mature teratoma, an inconclusive result since the patient’s serum and CSF tumor markers were elevated. No morbidity was experienced as a result of the operative procedure. Five of six patients diagnosed with germinoma responded completely to radiation therapy and are without evidence of disease, while one suffered a likely germinoma recurrence and was subsequently successfully retreated. We conclude that endoscopic biopsy of marker-negative germ cell tumors is a safe, reliable method of establishing a diagnosis of germinoma. However, endoscopic biopsy may fail to yield an accurate diagnosis in cases of malignant non-germinomatous tumor. We would thus conclude that when primary germ cell tumor is considered, endoscopic tumor biopsy is recommended in patients with a negative biochemical analysis, but not suggested for patients presenting with elevated tumor markers.     

Epidemiology of germ cell tumors in Asia of pineal region tumor

A higher incidence of pineal region tumors in Asian countries compared to Western countries has been reported. In the Brain Tumor Registry of Japan (BTRJ), there were 38,273 primary brain tumors except those of unknown histology (1123 cases) registered in the period between 1984 and 1993, in which 807 pineal region tumors with 104 unknown histology were registered in BTRJ. Of these pineal region tumors, germ cell tumors had the highest frequency, 70.3%, followed by pineal parenchymal tumors, 12.0%; pineocytoma in 7.8% and pineoblastoma in 4.2%. Limited to germ cell tumors, germinoma was 68.0%, then teratoma including malignant teratoma, had the second high frequency, 14.7% in pineal region. While, data reported by Allaire et al. and Edwards et al. revealed that the incidence of germinoma was 88.6%, 52.4% of germ cell tumors in pineal region in France and in USA, respectively. Although number of cases is very small, it is suggested that the percentage of germinoma in germ cell tumors in the pineal region might be almost the same in Western countries as in Asian countries, and the occurrence of germ cell tumors in the pineal region was much higher than those in Asia. Age and gender distribution of pineal region tumors indicated that germ cell tumors and pineocytoma showed a high incidence in males and in children. Most of malignant pineal region tumors other than germinomas showed poor prognosis, but recent progress in surgical techniques and effective chemotherapy will improve the prognosis.     

低剂量诊断性放疗联合化疗在诊治颅内生殖细胞肿瘤中的价值

背景与目的：颅内生殖细胞肿瘤（intracranial germ cell tumors）经积极放化疗常可获得令人满意的局部控制率和生存率，然而对部分无法取得病理诊断的颅内生殖细胞肿瘤的治疗，研究者们至今无法达成一致意见。该研究探讨低剂量诊断性放疗联合化疗在诊治颅内生殖细胞肿瘤的可行性及临床意义。方法：该研究分析了贵州省人民医院及北京天坛医院收治的28例（16例男性，12例女性，中位年龄14.5岁）高度怀疑为颅内生殖细胞肿瘤的患者。患者血浆和（或）脑脊液人绒毛膜促性腺激素（β-human chorionic gonadotropin，β-HCG）和甲胎蛋白（α-fetoprotein，AFP）均为阴性，头颅MRI诊断提示鞍区和（或）松果体区呈典型生殖细胞肿瘤影像特征，临床表现高度提示可能为生殖细胞瘤（germinoma）。这些患者因无法通过手术及立体定向活检明确病理诊断，或患者本身不同意手术或活检，因此我们建议实施诊断性低剂量放疗联合化疗方案，诊断性放疗剂量为3.4 Gy，1.7 Gy/2次。经低剂量诊断性放疗后行MRI复查。随后根据MRI复查结果采用以下治疗：⑴ 影像学为进展（progression disease，PD）或稳定（stable disease，SD），建议手术治疗。⑵ 影像学达完全缓解（complete response，CR）或部分缓解（partial release，PR），再予以2个周期化疗，顺铂+足叶乙甙（DDP+VP16）方案2个周期，化疗后再次行MRI复查，如果患者影像学检测结果显示达CR，随即按生殖细胞瘤进行调强放疗（intensity-modulated radiation therapy，IMRT）及三维适形放疗（three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy，3D-CRT)。放疗方案根据患者情况进行选择：① 局部放疗；② 全脑全脊髓+局部加量放疗；③ 全脑+局部加量放疗（松果体区病变总剂量小于等于50.4 Gy；鞍区病变总剂量小于等于41.0 Gy）。⑶ 经低剂量诊断性放疗联合化疗后行MRI复查，如果患者影像学仍未达CR，建议患者立即接受手术治疗。参考WHO实体瘤疗效评价标准判断放化疗效果。结果：经诊断性放疗后显示为SD的患者1例，被随后的手术证实为垂体瘤。经低剂量诊断性放化疗后，病灶影像学诊断结果显示26例达CR，考虑临床诊断为颅内生殖细胞肿瘤，随即予患者行IMRT及3D-CRT；治疗后影像学复查均为CR，以上患者随访时间1~8年，所有患者均无瘤生存，无复发，未见放射性坏死。经诊断性放疗及2个周期化疗后仍有1例患者影像学诊断结果显示未达到CR，后经手术证实为混合性生殖细胞肿瘤。结论：低剂量诊断性放疗联合化疗具备区分颅内生殖细胞瘤与非生殖细胞瘤的能力，对高度怀疑为颅内生殖细胞肿瘤的患者, 在没有病理证实的情况下，可参考此方案进行诊断性治疗和临床处理。     

MRI of pineal region tumors

The pineal region is a heterogeneous area that includes the pineal gland and several parapineal structures. Pineal region masses include germ cell tumors (GCTs), pineal parenchymal cell tumors, glioma, meningioma, metastases, and non-neoplastic masses such as pineal cysts, lipoma, epidermoid, vascular malformations. Although MRI has allowed an improvement in distinguishing true pineal masses from parapineal masses impinging into the region of the gland, it is still difficult to differentiate the pineal GCTs from pineal parenchymal tumors with only images, and the clinical informations such as age, sex, and the tumor markers are very important.     

Refining the staging evaluation of pineal region germinoma using neuroendoscopy and the presence of preoperative diabetes insipidus

Treatment strategies for CNS germinoma are currently evolving. Current approaches include reducing the volume and dose of radiation by adding pre-irradiation chemotherapy. Very accurate staging is necessary with such an approach to prevent failures. Eight consecutive patients with pineal germinoma at one institution underwent endoscopic surgery for tumor biopsy, direct visualization of the third ventricular region, and third ventriculostomy for those with hydrocephalus. All patients were treated with 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Conformal field radiation therapy followed, with the dose to the tumor bed dependent on the response to chemotherapy. Patients who had MRI, endoscopic, or cerebrospinal fluid evidence of multicentric or disseminated disease also received craniospinal radiation. Six patients had diabetes insipidus (DI) at presentation. All 6 had tumor studding the floor of the third ventricle on endoscopic visualization, while only 4 of those patients had MRI evidence of disease in that region. All patients have completed therapy and are alive, with no evidence of disease at median follow-up of 31.5 months from diagnosis. Direct endoscopic visualization of the third ventricular region may be more sensitive than MRI for evaluating the presence of suprasellar disease and appears to add important information. This parameter should be added to the staging evaluation when feasible. In this series, the presence of DI was 100% predictive of suprasellar disease, even when the MRI was negative for involvement of that region. Patients should be evaluated for DI as part of the initial staging, and if it is present, the patients should be treated for suprasellar disease regardless of MRI findings.     

Management of primary intracranial germ cell tumors

Primary intracranial germ cell tumors are rare and usually localized in the pineal and the suprasellar regions. They are divided into the following histologic types: germinoma, teratoma (mature, immature, malignant), choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor), and mixed tumors. Clinically, they are manifested with ocular signs or signs of obstructive hydrocephalus. Localized germinomas are treated with radiation therapy and exhibit a relatively good prognosis. Chemotherapy is reserved for disseminated germinomas. Mature teratomas are treated with surgery. The rest of germ cell tumors are managed with various combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy depending on the tumor type. If the tumors secrete beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or alpha-fetoprotein (FP), these tumor markers can be used to accurately monitor response to treatment. Prognosis is best for germinomas and mature teratomas and worst for choriocarcinomas and embryonal carcinomas.     

Synchronous mixed germ cell tumor of the pineal gland and suprasellar region with a predominant angiomatous component: a diagnostic challenge

We present a case of synchronous involvement of the pineal and suprasellar regions by a mixed germ cell tumor comprising germinoma and yolk sac tumor components, with a predominant angiomatous component. To our knowledge, it is the first case of this nature to be reported in the literature. Usually, synchronous lesions of this kind are pure germinomas, and some clinicians will forgo a biopsy and assume a germinoma histology if the serum β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is <50 IU/l and the α-fetoprotein (AFP) is within normal limits. Secondly, if a biopsy is performed on a lesion that has a prominent angiomatous component, the diagnostic germ cell tumor may be missed at the time of the biopsy. In order to alert clinicians and pathologists to this rare entity, the case is discussed with particular reference to difficulties that were encountered in rendering an accurate diagnosis, and the associated management implications.     

Hematogenous extraneural metastasis of the germinomatous component of a pineal mixed germ cell tumor

A 23-year-old man presented with a mass in the pineal region and obstructive hydrocephalus. A neuroendoscopic biopsy for the lesion, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting, and focal irradiation were conducted as initial treatment. Histological diagnosis of the biopsy specimen was germinoma. He underwent further irradiation and two tumor resections. Histological diagnosis was mature teratoma without a germinomatous component. After serial treatments, the intracranial lesion was controlled. However, 14?months after presentation, extraneural lesions were confirmed in the posterior mediastinum and retroperitoneal space. The biopsy specimen of the retroperitoneal space lesion was histologically diagnosed as germinoma. Although chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide was undertaken, extraneural lesions ware uncontrollable and he died. At autopsy, extraneural lesions were confirmed in the posterior mediastinum, retroperitoneal space, and right lung. Histological diagnosis of extraneural lesions was germinoma. This case was considered to be a pineal mixed germ cell tumor mainly consisting of germinoma and mature teratoma, which caused hematogenous metastasis of the germinoma component. Systemic chemotherapy and irradiation for primary lesions as an initial treatment is important to cure the primary lesion and prevent extraneural metastasis.     

Contribution of the daily melatonin profile to diagnosis of tumors of the pineal region

Tumors of the pineal region (TPR) include different entities: germ cell tumors (GCT), pineal parenchymal tumors (PPT), meningiomas, and glial tumors. Except for GCT, there are no peripheral markers and histopathological diagnosis needs biopsy or surgery. We studied daily melatonin variations in twenty-nine patients with TPR and five with tectal plate glioma (TPG), used as controls, before and/or after surgery. Before surgery, a melatonin nycthemeral rhythm was observed in patients with TPG and TPR (one cyst, three PPT, one papillary tumor of the pineal region, two meningiomas, six gliomas). Melatonin rhythm was dramatically reduced for undifferentiated or invasive tumors. After surgery, the absence of melatonin variation in some cases could be the consequence of pineal damage by surgery. The contribution of determination of melatonin profiles to the diagnosis of TPR remains limited but of interest. The evidence for melatonin deficiency could justify melatonin administration to prevent the postpinealectomy syndrome. Bruno Claustrat and Michelle Fèvre-Montange contributed equally to this work.     

Neuroendoscopic anatomy and surgery in pineal region tumors

The therapeutic modalities for pineal region tumors in Western countries differ from those in far-eastern countries, that is, Japan and Korea, mainly because of the different patient populations. The majority of pineal region tumors in Japan and Korea are radio sensitive and/or chemosensitive, and adjuvant therapy rather than extensive surgery plays the main part in the treatment of these tumors. The authors have applied minimally-invasive preferential management in pineal region tumors in last 8 years. For the therapeutic regimen, if the tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) were not detected in serum and there was significant ventricular dilation visualized on neuroimages, neuroendoscopic surgery was first applied for tumor debulking with tissue diagnosis and gross morphological analysis of the tumor and the intraventricular structures, followed by third-ventriculostomy. In the results, our minimally-invasive preferential regimen clarified the precise indication for neuroendoscopic procedures, and the majority of our patients with dilated ventricles and no evidence of tumor markers were treated satisfactorily with effective neuroendoscopic procedures as the initial procedure. Then avoided unnecessary craniotomy and radiotherapy and promised excellent therapeutic outcomes. Neuroendoscopic procedures have a great advantage in the management of chemo- or radiosensitive tumors, such as germinoma, pineoblastoma, or primitive neuroectodermal tumor. The neuroendoscopic anatomy including the lateral and third ventricles with a pineal region tumor with or without tumor dissemination was described in detail, together with the neuroendoscopic surgical technique.     

Endodermal sinus tumor of the pineal region: case report.

This is a case report of an endodermal sinus tumor occurring in the pineal region of a 12-year-old Caucasian boy. Germ cell tumors of this type demonstrate a selective overgrowth of yolk sac endoderm associated with extraembryonic mesoblast and arise perferentially in the gonads of young children. This is the ninth known report of this tumor in the world literature. Its occurrence in the posterior third ventricle again confirms that pineal region germ cell tumors are histologically analogous to germ cell tumors originating in the gonads. A disturbance in the region of the primitive streak is thought to account for the exclusive midline location of this tumor in extragonadal sites. This patient was treated with a combination of vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide, and concomitant cobalt irradiation. For endodermal sinus tumors in the pineal region, this combination appears more effective than previously reported treatment by irradiation alone.     

132例松果体区肿瘤的临床研究

目的 研究松果体区肿瘤的临床表现、影像学特征、肿瘤标记物、病理特征、治疗方法 和临床疗效,探讨其特点和治疗策略.方法 回顾性分析2000年1月至2008年5月间住院治疗的132例松果体区肿瘤患者的资料.结果 132例松果体区肿瘤患者中,男性98例,女性34例,男女之比为2.9:1.临床表现以颅内压升高、眼球运动障碍为主.CT和MRI检查有一定特征,但缺乏特异性的影像表现.132例患者中,合并腩积水117例,占88.6%.甲胎蛋白(AFP)升高14例,人绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)升高9例.132例患者中,直接放疗18例,病理活检后放疗7例,手术切除107例.有病理诊断结果 者114例,其中生殖细胞源性肿瘤56例.随访12～132个月,肿瘤复发23例,死亡12例.132例患者的5年牛存率为89.3%.结论 松果体区肿瘤常合并脑积水,定性诊断较困难,影像学检查有助于诊断,但特异性较差.结合肿瘤标记物可诊断生殖细胞源性肿瘤.纯生殖细胞瘤可直接选择放化疗,其他类型肿瘤均应开颅行手术治疗.应根据患者的病理诊断结果 ,施行联合放化疗,效果较好.     

Mixed germ cell tumors with abundant sarcomatous component in the temporal lobe after radiochemotherapy of neurohypophyseal germinoma: a case report

We report a case of intracranial germ cell tumor that showed pathological changes from neurohypophyseal germinoma to mixed germ cell tumors consisting exclusively of undifferentiated sarcomatous component after radiochemotherapy. Three surgical specimens and autopsied brain from the patient were histologically examined. An initial specimen from the neurohypophyseal tumor was diagnosed as germinoma with a two-cell pattern. Five years later, after repeated radiochemotherapy, the second specimen resected from the right temporal lobe showed mixed germ cell tumors consisting of the three components of germinoma, choriocarcinoma, and immature teratoma. Six months later after intensive radiotherapy, the right temporal tumor recurred and was surgically removed. The histological diagnosis was mixed germ cell tumors with abundant immature teratoma component. The patient died of uncontrollable tumor growth with repeated intratumoral hemorrhages. The autopsied brain showed sarcoma with angionecrosis. This pathological alteration indicated an increase in the sarcomatous component after undergoing various treatments. We discuss the histological changes of intracranial germ cell tumor modified by treatment.     

神经内镜在合并梗阻性脑积水的松果体区肿瘤诊治中的应用

背景与目的：松果体区肿瘤的位置深在,毗邻重要的结构,病理类型丰富,故其诊断及治疗一直是神经外科最富挑战和争议的领域。本研究总结应用神经内镜治疗合并梗阻性脑积水的松果体区肿瘤的疗效,评价神经内镜在诊治过程中的作用。方法：对53例合并梗阻性脑积水的松果体区肿瘤患者应用神经内镜行第三脑室底造瘘加肿瘤活检术,在解决脑积水同时明确肿瘤病理性质,其后给予综合治疗。结果：本组病例术后梗阻性脑积水均解除,51例获病理结果。结论：在合并梗阻性脑积水的松果体区肿瘤的初期治疗中,神经内镜是一种有效的诊疗手段．     

Complete regression of papillary tumor of the pineal region after radiation therapy: case report and review of the literature

Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a rare neuroepithelial tumor that arises in the pineal region. The optimal treatment for PTPR remains controversial, as no definitive treatment strategy exists for this lesion. It is not clear whether aggressive surgical removal is superior to biopsy followed by radiotherapy. The majority of cases in the literature have undergone attempted gross total resection with a supracerebellar-infratentorial or a transcallosal-transventricular approach. In this report, we describe a case of PTPR in a 23 year-old male that presented as a third ventricular mass causing obstructive hydrocephalus. An endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed followed by an endoscopic biopsy. Postoperative radiotherapy resulted in complete regression of the tumor with no evidence of tumor recurrence at 25 months. This case highlights a minimally invasive strategy for a rare neoplasm that resulted in a favorable response to radiation therapy, thereby avoiding the risks of aggressive surgical removal. We also review the radiographic and histopathologic features of PTPR and discuss various options of treatment reported in the literature.     

Spontaneous regression of multicentric pilocytic astrocytoma with CSF dissemination in an adult

We present a case of spontaneous regression of multicentric pilocytic astrocytoma with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination without neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in an adult, the first such case reported. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple low signal intensity lesions on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity areas on T2-weighted images in the bilateral thalamus, basal ganglia and midbrain. Contrast-enhanced MRI revealed that small, enhanced lesions were seen in the basal ganglia and the pineal region. Neuroendoscopic biopsy and third ventriculostomy were performed. Intraoperative findings demonstrated CSF dissemination. Histologically, the specimens showed pilocytic astrocytoma. Serial MRIs showed regression of the tumor without any additional treatment. The clinical features of spontaneous regression of pilocytic astrocytoma are discussed.     

Yolk sac tumor of the bilateral basal ganglia in a patient with Down syndrome

We report a case of intracranial yolk sac tumor in a 17-year-old girl with Down syndrome who presented with left slowly progressive hemiparesis. Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a small area of ill-defined abnormal signal intensity without a mass in the bilateral basal ganglia. These findings progressed very slowly for 2 years, but then the lesion rapidly progressed to a huge mass on MRI 4 months after the previous scan. The patient subsequently underwent a blood examination and endoscopic biopsy, and was finally diagnosed with yolk sac tumor. Standard platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed as soon as practicable. The frequency of solid cancer in patients with Down syndrome is generally lower than that in individuals without this disorder. Brain tumor is also rare in Down syndrome, but half of these cases are germ cell tumors. Moreover, slowly progressive non-tumor-like lesions in the basal ganglia may also be germ cell tumors. Therefore, MRI signal abnormalities in the basal ganglia in patients with Down syndrome require careful and frequent follow-up scans based on the possibility of a germ cell tumor that may exhibit rapid growth.     

So-called bifocal tumors with diabetes insipidus and negative tumor markers: are they all germinoma?

BackgroundThe Delphi consensus statements on the management of germ cell tumors (GCTs) failed to reach agreements on the statement that the cases with (i) pineal and neurohypophyseal bifocal lesion, (ii) with diabetes insipidus, and (iii) with negative tumor markers can be diagnosed as germinoma without histological verification. To answer this, multicenter retrospective analysis was performed.MethodsA questionnaire on clinical findings, histological diagnosis, and details of surgical procedures was sent to 86 neurosurgical and 35 pediatrics departments in Japan.ResultsFifty-one institutes reported 132 cases that fulfilled the 3 criteria. Tissue sampling was performed in 91 cases from pineal (n = 44), neurohypophyseal (n = 32), both (n = 6), and distant (n = 9) lesions. Histological diagnosis was established in 89 cases: pure germinoma or germinoma with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells in 82 (92.1%) cases, germinoma and mature teratoma in 2 cases, and granulomatous inflammation in 2 cases. Histological diagnosis was not established in 2 cases. Although no tumors other than GCTs were identified, 3 (3.4%) patients had non-germinomatous GCTs (NGGCTs). None of the patients developed permanent complications after endoscopic or stereotactic biopsy. Thirty-nine patients underwent simultaneous procedure for acute hydrocephalus without permanent complications, and hydrocephalus was controlled in 94.9% of them.ConclusionAll patients who fulfilled the 3 criteria had GCTs or granulomatous inflammation, but not other types of tumors. However, no fewer than 3.4% of the patients had NGGCTs. Considering the safety and the effects of simultaneous procedures for acute hydrocephalus, biopsy was recommended in such patients.