Primary myeloblastoma of the pineal region

The first case of a pinealis region tumor of the hematopoietic system without known leukemia (so-called primary myeloblastoma, primary granulocytic sarcoma) is reported. Two weeks after resection, the 3.5-year-old patient suffered from a local recurrence. At this time, a bone marrow infiltration by leukemic blasts was diagnosed for the first time. An aggressive chemotherapy and radiation induced a complete remission, over a 26-month follow-up period. We examined the removed tumor tissue by routine histology methods, immuno- and enzyme histochemistry and electron microscopy. The CSF was studied by conventional microscopy and enzyme cytochemistry. We discuss the epidemiological data of nine previously published cases of primary intracranial myeloblastoma.