Brainstem germinoma presenting as intermittent apnoea: a rare entity: report of one patient and review of literature.

Abstract

A 17-year-old man who had repeated pneumonia and presented with intermittent apnoea was described clinically and pathologically. Neurological examination and computed axial tomography revealed a calcified mass over the lower brainstem. Neurological intervention was done with removal of the tumour and the pathological section showed the classical picture of germinoma. The patient was given irradiation treatment afterwards and he was weaned off the respirator within a week. Unfortunately, he died because of recurrent chest infection after a long hospital admission of 92 days. Reviewing the literature showed the rarity of the germinoma at the brainstem location.