A Case Report of Yolk Sac Tumor in Cerebellar Hemisphere and Review of Literature

Background: Yolk sac tumor also known as endodermal sinus tumor, is a rare intracranial germ cell tumor. We reported a case of yolk sac tumor in cerebellar hemisphere, and reviewed associated literatures. The majority of tumor locations are near the midline. On review of literature, very few case reports of intracranial yolk sac tumor have been published, and there is only one case report has described a yolk sac tumor arising from the cerebellum. Case presentation: A two years old boy admitted to our hospital due to headache and unsteady gait for six days. CT and MRI demonstrated a tumor in the right cerebellar hemisphere, and the blood and cerebrospinal fluid alpha-fetoprotein were found increased. It was diagnosed as yolk sac tumor after operation comfirmed by histopathological examination. Postoperative chemotherapy was performed, and the patient suffered no tumor recurrence one year and a half after the surgery. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics and imaging diagnosis of intracranial yolk sac tumor are lack of specificity, the comfirmed diagnosis is depending on the combination of elevated alpha-fetoprotein and histopathological examination.