Pineocytomas are relatively benign (WHO grade 1) pineal parenchymal tumours that have a relatively good prognosis.
On imaging, they generally appear as a well-demarcated tumour less than 3 cm in its greatest dimension, iso- to hyperattenuating on CT, hypo- to isointense on T1, and hyperintense on T2. An avid and homogeneous enhancement is characteristic. Cystic changes may be present, which in some cases, can make it difficult to differentiate from a pineal cyst.
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Epidemiology
Pineocytomas can be encountered at any age but mostly occur in adults (20-60 years of age) 9. Unlike pineal germinomas, which have a strong predilection for males, pineocytomas are somewhat more frequently encountered in females (M:F 0.6:1) 9.
Clinical presentation
As with all other pineal region masses, clinical presentation is mainly from obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to compression of the tectum of the midbrain and obstruction of the aqueduct. Compression of the superior colliculi can also lead to a characteristic gaze palsy, known as Parinaud syndrome.
Pathology
Pineocytomas are well-differentiated tumours and considered WHO grade 1 tumours in the 5th edition (2021) WHO classification of CNS tumours, believed to arise from pinealocytes 9.
Macroscopic appearance
These tumours are well circumscribed, with cystic or haemorrhagic change sometimes evident 9. They have a grey or tan cut surface.
Microscopic appearance
Under light microscopy, pineocytomas are composed of small cells similar in appearance to normal pinealocytes, arranged in sheets; pineocytomatous pseudorosettes are characteristic and not seen in normal pineal gland tissue 9.
As is the case with the rest of the pineal gland, pineocytomas do not have a well-formed blood brain barrier and as such enhance vividly with contrast 6.
In keeping with their low grade, mitotic figures are rare 9.
Immunophenotype
- synaptophysin: positive
- neurofilament: positive
- neurone-specific enolase: positive
- other neuronal markers (e.g. MAPT, chromogranin-A, 5-HT etc..): variable
- NeuN: negative
Radiographic features
Typically, pineocytomas are slow-growing and well-circumscribed tumours (compared to pineoblastomas that tend to be larger, and less well-circumscribed). They tend to be solid, although focal areas of cystic change or haemorrhage do occur. When the cystic component is large, distinguishing them from pineal cysts can be difficult, although it has been postulated that this is not so much the case if complete and accurate imaging is obtained (i.e. good quality thin-section MRI with contrast) 6.
CT
CT demonstrates the mass to be of intermediate density, similar to the adjacent brain. Pineal calcifications tend to be dispersed peripherally. This is the same pattern seen in other pineal parenchymal tumours, which is helpful in distinguishing these tumours from pineal germinomas that tend to engulf pineal calcification.
MRI
MRI is the modality of choice for examining tumours of the pineal region.
- T1: hypo- to isointense to brain parenchyma
-
T2
- solid components are isointense to brain parenchyma
- areas of cystic change are common
- sometimes the majority of the tumour is cystic
- T1 C+ (Gd): solid components vividly enhance
Treatment and prognosis
Pineocytomas are treated surgically and have an excellent prognosis when a complete resection is achieved (which is most of the time as they are well-circumscribed lesions). A 5-year survival rate of 86% has been reported 7.
Local recurrence and even CSF metastases are reported, but are rare 5.
Differential diagnosis
On CT or MRI consider:
-
pineal cyst
- at most, thin smooth (<2 mm) peripheral enhancement
- other pineal parenchymal tumours
-
germ cell tumours
-
germinoma
- marked male predominance
- engulfed calcification
- embryonal carcinoma
- choriocarcinoma
- teratoma: may contain fat
-
germinoma
- astrocytoma of the pineal gland
- metastasis