Rare Presentation and Diagnostic Challenge of a Germ Cell Tumor of the Yolk Sac Type

Cureus. 2024 Jan 29;16(1):e53138. doi: 10.7759/cureus.53138. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Opsoclonus-ataxia paraneoplastic syndrome (OAPS) is a rare neurological disorder often associated with malignancies. This case report highlights an unusual instance of OAPS linked to a yolk sac (germ cell) tumor, a correlation underrepresented in the medical literature. The patient presented with distinct neurological symptoms alongside mediastinal lymphadenopathies. The subsequent diagnostic journey revealed a yolk sac germ cell tumor. Following incisional biopsies and treatment, the patient experienced fluctuations in mental status, leading to challenges in initiating chemotherapy. Despite these complications, a multidisciplinary approach involving neurologists, oncologists, and hematologists was pivotal. The case emphasizes the complexities of managing OAPS in tandem with a germ cell tumor, underscoring the need for further research and highlighting the significance of specialized neurological evaluation in similar cases.

Keywords: chemotherapy; germ cell tumor; neurologic disorder; opsoclonus-ataxia; yolk sac tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports