Rapidly growing giant suprasellar tumor in a high-risk child: treatment strategy and role of neuroendoscopic surgery in slit-like ventricles

RATIONALE: Suprasellar tumors are common in the pediatric population and exhibit a wide range of pathological appearance and behavior. Although rare, pure suprasellar germinomas carry worse prognosis than other locations. METHODS: We present a case of a 10-year-old girl treated with therapeutic anticoagulation for previous cardiac valvular replacement, who presented with rapidly growing giant (>4 cm) suprasellar germinoma. Neoadjuvant chemotheraphy was effective and the dilated ventricles became slit-like. The fine free-hand maneuver using a fine rigid-rod neuroendoscope. "Oi-Samii Handy Pro" made it possible to obtain the tissue diagnosis. RESULTS: Complete remission was achieved using neoadjuvant chemotherapy, minimally invasive neuroendoscopic surgery, then followed by specific chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The role of neuroendoscopic procedure, performed in a difficult situation with normalized size of the ventricles, was emphasized.