Intracranial yolk sac tumours represent 2% of nongerminomatous germ cell tumours 1.
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Epidemiology
Intracranial yolk sac tumours commonly occur in childhood or adolescence. CSF alfa fetoprotein can act as a tumour marker for yolk sac tumours.
Radiographic features
Intracranial yolk sac tumours are usually located in the pineal gland (see pineal yolk sac tumour), suprasellar and posterior third ventricular region 1,2. Primary yolk sac tumours have also been reported in the spinal cord 3.
MRI
- T1: hypointense
- T2: hyperintense
- T1 C+ (Gd): heterogenous enhancement
Haemorrhage is occasionally present.
Treatment and prognosis
Prognosis is considered to be poorer as compared to germinomas 4. A combination of surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is recommended 4.
Differential diagnosis
Consider
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