Microsurgical Treatment of Pineal Tumors: Anatomy and Techniques

Pineal region tumors are challenging lesions in terms of surgical accessibility and removal.¹ The complexity is compounded by the infrequency and heterogeneity of pineal neoplasms.^2,3 In Video 1, we present the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with progressive headaches and vision impairment. She underwent microsurgical resection for a pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation. We discuss the rationale, risks, and benefits of treatment for this patient, as well as provide a detailed overview of the alternative approaches that may be considered. Additionally, we discuss the unique anatomic considerations for each approach and include a virtual reality-compatible 3-dimensional fly-through to highlight the relationship between the tumor and relevant venous anatomy. The patient tolerated the procedure well with excellent neurologic outcome, and her follow-up imaging showed no evidence of tumor recurrence.