Germ cell tumors account for up to 53% of the malignant lesions found in the pineal region and are typically managed with a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Malignant somatic transformation of intracranial germ cell tumors is exceedingly rare and has only been reported on two other occasions. Here the authors present the case of a pineal yolk sac tumor that failed optimum first-line treatment and underwent malignant somatic transformation to an enteric mucinous adenocarcinoma requiring surgical intervention. This video demonstrates the technical nuances of the occipital transtentorial approach and the safe microsurgical dissection of lesions within the pineal region. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.4.FOCVID2151.
Keywords: malignant germ cell tumor; occipital transtentorial; pineal region; surgical video.
© 2021, The Authors.