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Pineal parenchymal tumors: CT and MR features
M V Chiechi1, J G Smirniotopoulos, H Mena
1Department of Radiologic Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C. 20306-6000, USA.
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Pineocytomas (PCs) are typically small, round, hypodense masses with calcifications, while pineoblastomas (PBs) are larger, lobulated, hyperdense tumors. Imaging features on CT and MRI help differentiate these pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs).
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Neuro-oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) encompass a spectrum of neoplasms arising from the pineal gland.
- Accurate differentiation of PPT subtypes is crucial for prognosis and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), and pathologic features of pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs).
- To identify imaging characteristics that differentiate pineocytomas (PCs) from pineoblastomas (PBs).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 19 cases of resected PPTs with pathologic confirmation.
- Analysis of clinical, CT, and MRI features of pineocytomas (PCs), mixed pineocytoma-pineoblastoma (PC-PB), and pineoblastomas (PBs).
Main Results:
- Pineocytomas (PCs) were predominantly small, round, hypodense masses with peripheral or central calcifications, showing heterogeneous enhancement on CT.
- Pineoblastomas (PBs) were often larger, lobulated, hyperdense masses, infrequently calcified, with homogeneous enhancement on CT.
- MRI revealed variable signal intensity for PCs and PC-PB, while PBs were typically hypo- to isointense on T1-weighted images with heterogeneous post-gadolinium enhancement.
Conclusions:
- CT and MR imaging findings can help distinguish between pineocytomas and pineoblastomas.
- Pineocytomas present as smaller, round, hypodense masses with calcifications and heterogeneous enhancement.
- Pineoblastomas are larger, lobulated, hyperdense tumors with homogeneous enhancement, often associated with hydrocephalus in young females.