A case of germinoma originating in the basal ganglia and thalamus is presented. This tumour most commonly originates during childhood and adolescence, at pineal and suprasellar regions. In the early stages, the diagnosis of germinoma in the basal ganglion and thalamus is difficult because of its rarity and non-specific findings. The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings though non-diagnostic, are discussed here. A few differential diagnoses had been discussed with radiological abnormality. Open biopsy done in this case proved to be two-cell pattern germinoma. Early detection of the tumour is desirable, since this tumour is highly sensitive to radio and chemotherapy and is potentially curable. Our patient was treated with combined chemotherapy and the response was well and no residual tumour or recurrence was seen on the repeated imaging modality, however his neurological deficits remained unchanged.
A 62-year-old man presented with a right-sided hemichorea-hemiballismus secondary to underlying non-ketotic hyperglycaemia. This condition is recognised to have a unique finding of unilateral basal ganglia lesion, which is hyperdense on CT and hyperintense on T1-weighted MRI. The clinical course of this condition is benign and has a good prognosis with early correction of the hyperglycaemia.