Serum Melatonin Levels: A New Neurodiagnostic Tool in Pineal Region Tumors?

Neurosurgery ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 817-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Vorkapic ◽  
Franz Waldhauser ◽  
Robert Bruckner ◽  
Christian Biegelmayer ◽  
Manfred Schmidbauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pineal Gland ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Pineal Tumors ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Computer Assisted Tomography

Abstract The pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) is secreted in a circadian rhythm with high serum levels during nighttime and low serum levels during daytime. Several authors have reported an altered secretion pattern of MLT in patients with pineal tumors and have proposed that MLT may be used as a tumor marker. In nine patients, a pineal region tumor was diagnosed by computer-assisted tomography. Before and after surgical removal of the tumor, several day- and nighttime serum samples were collected and MLT concentrations were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Before operation, five patients presented a normal circadian pattern of MLT secretion. In the remaining four subjects, MLT levels were undetectable or at the limit of detection, with no signs of a circadian secretion pattern. Eight patients were reexamined after tumor resection, when all but one had undetectable or very low MLT levels. The remaining subject, with a pineomesencephalic pilocytic astrocytoma, dislocating but not involving the pineal gland, presented a normal circadian secretion pattern of MLT after operation; in this case, tumor resection was possible without damaging the pineal gland. Thus, before operation, MLT deficiency rather than exaggerated serum levels may be used as a marker for pineal tumors that destroy the pineal gland. After tumor resection, serum MLT may serve to demonstrate complete pinealectomy.

Pineal Region Neoplasms

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Haranhalli ◽  
Jerome J. Graber
Keyword(s):  
Pineal Gland ◽  
Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Benign Lesions ◽  
Pineal Tumors ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers ◽  
Syndrome Diagnosis ◽  
Parinaud’S Syndrome

Pineal region tumors include a diverse array of neoplasms arising from various components of the pineal gland, including germ cell tumors, germinomas, teratomas, pineocytomas, pineoblastomas, and tumors derived from glial tissues including gliomas, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas. Benign lesions of the pineal gland can include pineal cysts, calcifications and meningiomas. Metastatic tumors can also be found in the pineal region. Numerous infectious and inflammatory conditions can mimic pineal tumors. Most patients present with symptoms of hydrocephalus or Parinaud’s syndrome. Diagnosis often requires biopsy, though some germinomas may be diagnosed based solely on serum and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers.

scholarly journals Case Report: Metastatic Bronchopulmonary Carcinoid Tumor to the Pineal Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua A. Cuoco ◽  
Michael W. Kortz ◽  
Edwin McCray ◽  
Evin L. Guilliams ◽  
Christopher M. Busch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pineal Gland ◽  
Neuroendocrine Tumor ◽  
Carcinoid Tumor ◽  
Neuroendocrine Tumors ◽  
Ductal Carcinoma ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Bronchopulmonary Carcinoid

Intracranial spread of a systemic malignancy is common in advanced staged cancers; however, metastasis specifically to the pineal gland is a relatively rare occurrence. A number of primary lesions have been reported to metastasize to the pineal gland, the most common of which is lung. However, metastasis of a bronchial neuroendocrine tumor to the pineal gland is a seldom-reported entity. Here, we present a 53-year-old female who presented with worsening headaches and drowsiness. MRI brain revealed a heterogeneously enhancing partially cystic mass in the pineal region. The patient had an extensive oncologic history consisting of remote stage IIA invasive breast ductal carcinoma as well as a more recently diagnosed atypical bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumor with lymph node metastases. She underwent microsurgical volumetric resection of the large pineal mass and a gross total removal of the tumor was achieved. Histopathology confirmed a metastatic tumor of neuroendocrine origin and the immunohistochemical profile was identical to the primary bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor. Eight weeks after surgery, she underwent stereotactic radiosurgical treatment to the resection cavity. At 1-year follow-up, the patient remains clinically stable without any new focal neurological deficits and without any evidence of residual or recurrent disease on postoperative MRI. Metastatic neuroendocrine tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pineal region tumors and aggressive surgical resection should be considered in selected patients. Gross total tumor resection may afford excellent local disease control. We discuss the relevant literature on neuroendocrine tumors and current treatment strategies for intracranial metastases of neuroendocrine origin.

scholarly journals Interhemispheric transcallosal intervenous approach to a pineal region tumor

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. V11
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Donoho ◽  
Guillermo Aldave
Keyword(s):  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Cerebral Veins ◽  
Surgical Morbidity ◽  
Pineal Tumors ◽  
Pineal Region Tumor ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Transcallosal Approach ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
The Right

Pineal region tumors represent a formidable challenge to the neurosurgeon. Choosing the right approach is key to optimizing the extent of resection and minimizing surgical morbidity. In this video, the authors show an interhemispheric transcallosal approach to a pineal region tumor in a 15-year-old boy. The advantage of this corridor over posterior approaches is that it provides a nice view of the tumor plane with the venous complex, especially while dissecting tumor from the anterior aspect of the internal cerebral veins on their vertical path. Thus, this approach represents a safe and effective alternative for selected pineal tumors. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.4.FOCVID2120.

Diagnosis and management of pineal tumors

1983 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 654-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Jooma ◽  
Brian E. Kendall
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Markers ◽  
Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Pineal Tumors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Primary Surgery ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The management of pineal region tumors remains controversial. Advocates of a conservative approach emphasize the excellent results of radiotherapy, particularly with germinomas, while a number of recent reports have demonstrated the safety of direct surgery. In order to improve treatment planning, attempts have been made to distinguish the various tumor types by computerized tomography (CT) and by the use of markers for germ-cell tumors. This paper reports a study of 35 patients with pineal tumors including two ectopic germinomas. Pretreatment CT was performed in all 35 patients, and human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein levels were assayed in 11. Histological verification was available for 33 tumors; the other two were characterized by clinical and CT features plus tumor markers. Of the 27 tumor operations, 21 were for a pineal mass and six for ectopic germinoma or metastasis. There was no operative mortality. Morbidity was minimal, and surgery did not increase the incidence of subarachnoid seeding. Each histological type of tumor has a typical appearance on CT scanning, although, in the individual case, a firm diagnosis is not always possible. However, consideration of CT scans together with the clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid cytology, tumor markers, and (if there is still doubt) response to a small dose of irradiation will generally allow a specific diagnosis with a high degree of probability. In this way, germinomas may be selected for radiotherapy and the tumors less likely to respond may be subjected to primary surgery.

scholarly journals Combined supra/infratentorial-transsinus approach to large pineal region tumors

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. E2
Author(s):  
Ibrahim M. Ziyal ◽  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
Eduardo Salas ◽  
Wayne J. Olan
Keyword(s):  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Occipital Lobe ◽  
Transverse Sinus ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Combined Approach ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Nerve Paresis ◽  
Brain Retraction

Object The authors sought to confirm that the combined supra/infratentorial-transsinus approach offers a safer means of resecting large pineal region tumors than other approaches currently being used. The aforementioned method provides a wider exposure of the pineal region with less brain retraction than the infratentorial-supracerebellar or the occipital-transtentorial approach alone and is applicable to some large and giant tumors of this area. This combined approach was used in six patients to remove large pineal region tumors including four tentorial meningiomas, one pineocytoma, and one epidermoid cyst. Methods The transverse sinus and tentorium were sectioned after review of preoperative angiographic studies, after taking intraoperative measurements of the venous pressure in the nondominant transverse sinus before and after clipping and while monitoring the somatosensory evoked potentials. The occipital lobe cortex and cerebellum were retracted slightly along the tentorium. Deep veins of the galenic system, the quadrigeminal area, and the tumor were well exposed. Before it was used for tumor resection the approach was studied in five cadaveric head specimens, and the projection of different approaches was compared radiologically. The tumors were removed in a gross-total manner in all patients, and none of the major veins of the galenic system was injured. Resuturing of the nondominant transverse sinus was performed postoperatively in one patient. One of the six patients experienced transient visual loss, and another suffered mild right sixth cranial nerve paresis; however, both recovered in 3 weeks. The wide exposure of the combined approach was also confirmed on radiological and anatomical studies. Conclusions The combined supra/infratentorial-transsinus approach is preferred for the resection of certain large pineal region tumors.

scholarly journals The Role of Neuroendoscopy in the Treatment of Pineal Region Tumors

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Flávio Ramalho Romero ◽  
Eduardo De Freitas Bertolini ◽  
Adalberto Sestari ◽  
Sérgio Soares Guerrero ◽  
Ramon Barbalha Guerrero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Endoscopic Biopsy ◽  
Third Ventriculostomy ◽  
Tumor Biopsy ◽  
Pineal Tumors ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Initial Procedure

Object. The authors report their experience in six patients presenting with pineal tumors and associated hydrocephalus who underwent an endoscopic biopsy procedure and third ventriculostomy (ETV) in a single setting. The purpose of this report is to discuss the role of neuroendoscopic procedures in the management of pineal region tumors. Methods. A retrospective review of patients undergoing simultaneous ETV and tumor biopsy was ndertaken. Neuroendoscopic surgery was first applied for tumor debulking with tissue diagnosis and gross morphological analysis of the tumor and the intraventricular structures, followed by third ventriculostomy. Subsequent procedures were determined on the basis of verified individual tumors. Results. Over a 2-year interval, 6 patients underwent simultaneous ETV and tumor management. These patients ranged from 6 to 54 years of age (mean 24.3 years). All cases were completed without complications or the need for an additional CSF diversionary procedure within 6 months. The diagnostic yield of the biopsy was 100%. Favorable therapeutic outcomes were obtained in all cases of germinoma and pineoblastoma, with follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 24 months. Conclusion. The majority of our patients with dilated ventricles were treated satisfactorily with effective neuroendoscopic procedures as the initial procedure, avoiding unnecessary craniotomy and promising excellent therapeutic outcomes.

Malignant pineal region tumors

1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 597-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward A. Neuwelt ◽  
Mark Glasberg ◽  
Eugene Frenkel ◽  
W. Kemp Clark
Keyword(s):  
Metastatic Tumor ◽  
Tumor Burden ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Pineal Tumor ◽  
Pineal Tumors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Tissue Diagnosis ◽  
Craniospinal Radiation

✓ Eight patients with primary malignant pineal tumors have been seen at this institution over the past 6 years; six of them underwent definitive surgical exploration. Complete gross microsurgical excision of well encapsulated tumors was possible in four of these patients. In two cases of pineal germinomas, a biopsy and a subtotal resection were carried out because of the known radiosensitivity of this tumor. These six surgical patients all received postoperative craniospinal radiation and continue to do well up to 6 years postoperatively. Two nonoperative patients were initially treated at other institutions by ventriculoperitoneal shunt and radiation and were the only ones to develop metastatic disease. One patient had metastasis of her pineoblastoma to her unirradiated spinal canal and the other patient had metastasis of his germinoma to the peritoneum. The former patient was quadriplegic on admission, although her pineal tumor was no longer visible on computerized tomography (CT), and she died of pneumonia. The latter patient's tumor secreted the beta chain of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This patient's massive metastatic tumor burden completely regressed as determined by body CT scan and HCG levels after four courses of chemotherapy with bleomycin, vinblastine, and cis-platinum. In 20 patients with lesions of the pineal region, craniotomy was associated with only one death (a patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma). Thus, microsurgery for pineal tumors provides either a reasonably safe potential for complete tumor extirpation and possible cure, or a tissue diagnosis which is necessary for appropriate therapeutic planning for radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The traditional therapeutic approach of empiric radiotherapy without a tissue diagnosis for pineal lesions may no longer be warranted.

Transcallosal interforniceal approach to pineal region tumors in 150 children

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqing Jia ◽  
Zhenyu Ma ◽  
Isabelle Yisha Liu ◽  
Yuqi Zhang ◽  
Ge Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
Pediatric Neurosurgery ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Disconnection Syndrome ◽  
Cavernous Hemangiomas

Object Pediatric pineal region tumors are very difficult to cure surgically. The authors used the transcallosal interforniceal approach in patients with these lesions. Methods One hundred fifty children, 98 boys and 52 girls, with pineal region tumors underwent tumor resection via the transcallosal interforniceal approach in the pediatric neurosurgery ward of TianTan Hospital. The patients ranged in age from 1 to 15 years. Fifty-eight patients had mature teratomas; 57, immature teratomas; 14, astrocytomas; 3, glioblastomas; 4, pineoblastomas; 2, pineocytomas; 4, choriocarcinomas; 4, cavernous hemangiomas; 2, germ cell tumors; and 2, epidermoid cysts. Results One hundred twenty-nine tumors were totally removed, 15 were subtotally removed, and 6 were partly removed. There were no deaths and no subsequent instances of disconnection syndrome. Short-term memory deficits appeared in 94 patients but resolved within 6 months in most; only a few patients retained persistent deficits. There were 2 patients with mutism that resolved within 10 days. Parinaud syndrome was observed in 45 patients after surgery; 21 of these cases had appeared preoperatively. The syndrome resolved within 6 months in 31 patients, while it remained in the other 14. Conclusions The transcallosal interforniceal approach appears to be a safe route for pineal region tumors in children, and complete resection can be achieved in the majority of patients.

scholarly journals Endoscope-Assisted Microsurgery in Pediatric Cases With Pineal Region Tumors: A Study of 18 Cases Series

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuankun Cai ◽  
Zhongwei Xiong ◽  
Can Xin ◽  
Jincao Chen ◽  
Kui Liu
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Pineal Region ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Score ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Pineal Region Tumors ◽  
Postoperative Hydrocephalus

Background: An endoscope-assisted technique was recently introduced to microsurgery (MS) and may compensate for the disadvantages of MS for deep-seated lesions. This study was performed to identify the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic-assisted microsurgery (EAM) and share our experience of EAM for pediatric cases with pineal region tumors.Method: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of consecutive pediatric cases with pineal region tumors treated by EAM or MS from January 2016 to June 2020. These data included the patient population, clinical manifestations, preoperative examination findings, surgical approach, pathological results, and clinical outcomes. The clinical outcomes were analyzed in the EAM group and MS group with a focus on the gross total resection (GTR) rate, postoperative hydrocephalus remission rate, and Karnofsky performance score (KPS). Studies on the surgical management of children with pineal region tumors in the last decade were reviewed.Result: Eighteen children successfully underwent tumor resection via MS (n = 8) or EAM (n = 10). The children's mean age was 11.4 ± 4.7 years, and the male to female ratio was 7:2. Seventeen patients (94.4%) complicated preoperative hydrocephalus, and 16 (88.9%) presented headache with nausea and/or vomiting. The pathological examination revealed germ cell tumors in 11 (61.1%) patients, neuroepithelial tumors in 4 (22.2%) patients, and a pineoblastoma, arachnoid cyst, and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in 1 (5.6%) patient each. GTR was more commonly achieved in the EAM than MS group (80.0 vs. 50.0%, respectively), and the postoperative hydrocephalus remission rate was higher in the EAM than MS group (87.5 vs. 50.0%, respectively). At a mean follow-up time of 23.6 ± 11.5 weeks, the mean improvement of the KPS 6 months postoperatively was greater in the EAM than MS group (24.0 ± 9.7 vs. 17.5 ± 7.1 points, respectively).Conclusion: EAM combines endoscopic and microsurgical techniques and can be safely and effectively performed to achieve GTR of pineal region tumors in pediatric patients. In children with pineal region tumors who have obstructive hydrocephalus, EAM could improves hydrocephalus remission rates by checking and clearing the midbrain aqueduct under visualization.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document