Parkinsonism Reversed from Treatment of Pineal Non-germinomatous Germ Cell Tumor

Background: Parkinsonism is a rare complication of non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) arising from the pineal region.

Case Description: We describe a 23-year-old man who presented with Parinaud syndrome, fatigue, and hypersomnia that were caused by a pineal region NGGCT with yolk sac component and an initial α-fetoprotein (AFP) of 1011.0 ng/ml. MRI revealed that the tumor was causing 10 mm of midline shift and compressing the cerebral aqueduct, the left thalamus, and the midbrain. Obstructive hydrocephalus was relieved by ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Six cycles of induction chemotherapy with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide reduced tumor size and decreased AFP levels in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Following the first cycle, the patient developed asymmetric, bilateral Parkinsonism consisting of bradykinesia, bradyphrenia, facial hypomimia, drooling, and dysphagia. Levodopa, amantadine, and methylphenidate were administered and resulted in symptom improvement. Second look neurosurgery revealed residual yolk sac tumor and a second induction regimen of gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and oxaliplatin was administered for rising AFP. The patient eventually received an autologous bone marrow transplant using a regimen of high-dose carboplatin, thiotepa, and etoposide with concomitant colony-stimulating factor and romiplostim support followed by consolidative proton craniospinal radiotherapy. Posttreatment head MRI showed that no evidence of tumor growth and serum AFP was within normal limits. His Parkinsonism eventually resolved and he was weaned off all dopaminergic drugs.

Conclusion: Bilateral Parkinsonism from NGGCT in this patient is probably caused by pressure on nigrostriatal tracts, substantia nigra, or both. The Parkinsonian symptoms can be reversed by aggressive treatment of the tumor and administration of dopaminergic drugs.