CT and MRI diagnosis of intracranial germ cell tumors / 中国医师杂志

Objective To study the features of CT and MRI diagnosis of intracranial germ cell tumors ,and to improve the un-derstanding of its imaging findings .Methods Fifteen cases of intracranial germ cell tumors proved by pathology and follow-up were retrospectively analyzed .Results Among the 15 cases with intracranial germ cell tumors ,9 cases in pineal body , tumours showed like-round masses,the margin of the masses were well defined .CT was slightly high density,MRI revealed isointense or hypointense signals on T1 weighted and homogeneous hyperintense signals on T 2 weighted image without edema around tumors and homogeneous en-hancement.One cases in CSF spread.Four cases were identified in the saddle-up area, among the 2 cases was cystic,1 cases was sol-id-cystic and 1 cases was solid,CT was isointense or high density in solid,low density in cystic,without edema around tumors.MRI re-vealed slight-hypointense signals on T 1 weighted and hyperintense signals on T 2 weighted image clearly enhanced in solid , cystoid with-out enhance .In the other 2 cases of intracranial germ cell tumors in the basal ganglia region ,CT was inhomogeneous high density ,inho-mogeneous signals on T2 and T1 weighted image, inhomogeneous enhancement .Conclusions Intracranial germ cell tumors show char-acteristic manifestations on CT and MRI,according to location,shape,signal,age characteristic,which is helpful in diagnosis and differ-ential diagnosis and guide treatment plan .

Pineal Germinoma with Extracranial Metastases: Case Report

Pineal germinoma is the commonest pineal region tumor of childhood and adolescence. Metastatic germinoma most commonly occurs via the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and it is usually limited to the cerebrospinal axis. Extacranial hematogenous metastasis is known to be very rare. We report here on a case of pineal germinoma with gradual extracranial metastases that occurred both through the CSF pathway and by hematogenous spread. The patient had multifocal CSF seeding after his surgery for pineal germinoma, and the left iliac metastasis and lung metastasis then occurred.

Immunochemical Characterization of Brain and Pineal Tryptophan Hydroxylase

Recombinant mouse tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) was expressed in Escheri-chia coli, using a bacterial expression vector and has been purified to homogeneity by sonication followed by Sepharose 4B column chromatography and native slab gel electrophoresis. This purified enzymatically active TPH protein was used for production of a specific antiserum. This antiserum identified the predicted TPH band (molecular weight, 54 kDa) on Western blot of crude extracts from the rat and mouse dorsal raphe, and the rat pineal gland. However, this antiserum recognized an additional protein band of lower molecular weight (48 kDa) in pineal extract. It is not clear whether the 48 kDa TPH band represents an isozyme or a protease cleavage product of TPH. Since the pineal gland contains higher TPH mRNA and lower TPH activity when it is compared with dorsal raphe nucleus enzyme, this lower molecular weight TPH may participate in the reduced TPH specific activity. In addition, there are no specific TPH inhibitors in the pineal gland and this lower molecular weight TPH is inactive or has a very low specific activity. This antiserum specifically immunostained serotonergic cell bodies in the dorsal raphe nuclei, some large caliber serotonergic processes in the dorsal raphe area as well as terminals in the olfactory bulb. It also immunolabeled the pineal gland and immunoprecipitated equally well TPH protein from the dorsal raphe nucleus and the pineal gland in a concentration-dependent manner.

Study on histocompatibility of pinealocyte microencapsules / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To explore the histocompatibility of pinealocyte microencapsules in vivo. METHODS: The pineal glands of neonatal rats were removed under operating microscope and pinealocytes were isolated through collagenase and trypsin digestion. Pinealocytes were cultured for one week in vitro and collected immediately after digesting was encapsulated in APA microencapsules. The cells and empty capsules were transplanted into abdominal cavity or intermuscular space respectively and retrieved at the 15th or 30th day after operation. Morphological observation, HE staining, cell counting, and HPLC technique were used to analyze the shape, proliferation and function, the degree of inflammation fibrosis of retrieved microencapsules. RESULTS: The retrieve rate of cell capsule from abdominal cavity was about 85 % . The retrieved capsules had integrated profile mostly although some were damaged. The amount of macrophages attached to capsule wall and the thickness of wall increased gradually following the period of transplantation. However, the retrieve rate, wall thickness had no difference between retrieved cell and empty capsules at the same time. Secretion ability of pinealocytes in capsule retrieved at 15th day after operation decreased rapidly and those retrieved at 30th day after operation lossed secretion function. CONCLUSION: APA microencapsules had histocompatibility relatively in vivo and protected pinealocytes in capsule from immunologic rejection of the host. The survival time was about 20 days. During this period cells in capsule maintained activity and MT secretion ability.

MR Imaging of Pineal Cysts

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and characteristic findings of pineal cyst incidentally detected on magnetic resonance(MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brain MR images obtained in 2432 patients were retrospectively reviewed to determine the incidence and MR findings of pineal cysts, which were evaluated according to their size, shape, location, signal intensity, interval change, contrast enhancement and mass effect on adjacent structures. RESULTS: Cysts were encountered in 107(4.4 %) of 2432 patients evaluated. Their size ranged from 1 x 1 x 1 to 15 x 8 x 9(mean, 5.97 x 3.87 x 4.82)mm. All were spherical(n=53) or oval(n=54) in shape. Their margin was smooth and they were homogeneous in nature. On T1-weighted images, the cysts were seen to be hyperintense(n=57) or isointense(n=50) to cerebrospinal fluid, but less so than brain parenchyma. T2-weighted images showed them to be isointense(n=51) or hyperintense(n=56) to cerebrospinal fluid. The cysts were centrally located in 65 cases and eccentrically in 42. Compression of the superior colliculi of the tectum was demonstrated in 17 cases(15.9 %). No patients presented clinical symptoms or signs related to either pineal or tectal lesions. Peripheral enhancement around the cyst after Gd-DTPA injection was demonstrated in 51 cases ( 1 00 %). Follow-up examinations in 19 cases demonstrated no interval change. CONCLUSION: The incidence of pineal cysts was 4.4%. The MR characteristics of simple pineal cysts include: (1) an oval or spherical shape, (2) a smooth outer margin and homogeneous nature, (3) isosignal or slightly high signal intensity to cerebrospinal fluid on whole pulse sequences, (4) ring enhancement after contrast injection,(5) an absence of interval change, as seen during follow up MR study. These MR appearances of pineal cysts might be helpful for differentiating them from pineal tumors.

MR Imaging Findings of Pineal Germinoma: Focus on Differential Diagnosis from Other Germ Cell Tumors

PURPOSE: To determine the characteristic MR imaging findings of pineal germinoma, and differential diagnosisfrom other germ cell tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of patients with histopathologically proven pinealgerminoma(n=14) and other pineal germ cell tumors(n=10) were retrospectively analyzed with regard to size, signalintensity and homogenetiy, enhancing features, cyst formation, and multiplicity of lesions. Other pineal germ celltumors were the mixed germ cell tumors (n=4), malignant teratomas(n=3), choriocarcinoma(n=1), embryonalcarcinoma(n=1), and endodermal sinus tumor(n=1). Tumor markers were evaluated. RESULTS: On T1-weighted images,germinomas showed homogeneous(86%) or iso signal intensity(93%), while other germ cell tumors showedinhomogeneous(70%) or iso signal intensity(70%). On T2-weighted images, germinomas showed homogeneous(64%) or isosignal intensity(57%), while other germ cell tumors showed inhomogeneous(70%) or high signal intensity(80%). OnGd-DTPA enhanced images, germinomas showed homogeneous (93%) or strong enhancement(64%), while other germ celltumors showed homogeneous(60%) or strong enhancemant(70%). Cyst formation was noted in ten patients(71%) withgerminoma and in six(60%) with other germ cell tumors, Invasion of surrounding structures was seen in 11 patients(79%) with germinoma and in five(50%) with other germ cell tumors. Lesions were multiple in three patients(21%)with germinoma. Thirteen of 14 patients with germinoma had normal serum alpha-FP(tetoprotein) and beta-HCG(humanchononic gonafotrophin) levels. Two of four patients with mixed germ cell tumors had elevated serum alpha-FP andalpha-HCG levels; in the other two, elevated serum alpha-FP or beta-HCG levels were noted. In the malignant teratoma andembryonal carcinoma patients, serum alpha-FP and beta-HCG levels were normal. The patient with choriocarcinoma had anelevated serum beta-HCG level. CONCLUSION: On T1W1, the only significant differential point(P<0.01) betweengerminomas and other germ cell tumors was homogeneity. Germinomas were frequently homogeneous, and iso signalintensity on T1WI and T2WI, strong enhancement, and the formation of small cysts(<3mm) was noted. This MR imagingfinding, combined with assay for tumor markers, is helpful for the differential diagnosis of pineal germinoma andother cell tumors.

Anatomical study of the pineal gland in capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris) / Pesquisa anatômica da glândula pineal em capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris)

The pineal gland was studied macro-and microscopically in 19 adult and young capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris) 13 females and 6 males. Pineal gland was present in all specimens between the cerebrum and the cerebellum and was formed by a base with two peduncles, a stem and an apex. The gland was in the roof of the III ventricle, next to the rostral coliculi, eitherwhish or brownish.The apex contained a cavity. Pineal gland was 2.2 cm long, and dimensions of the base, stem and apex were 1.3 mm, 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm respectively. The connective tissue capsule at least in part, contained blood vessels. Pineal parenchyma exhibited pinealocytes, with nuclear and interstitial cells.

A glândula pineal foi estudada macro e microscopicamente em 19 capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris) jovens e adultas, fêmeas e machos. A pineal, presente em todos os espécimes, estava localizada entre o cérebro e o cerebelo, e era formada por uma base com dois pedúnculos, uma haste e um ápice. A glândula localizava-se no teto do III ventrículo, próximo ao colículorostral, mostrando-se esbranquiçada ou acastanhada. O ápice continha uma cavidade. O comprimento médio da glândula na base foi de 1,3 mm; 1,2 mm; 2,0 mm na sua haste e ápice respectivamente. Revestida por uma cápsula de tecido conjuntivo contendo, pelo menos em parte do seu contorno, vasos sangüíneos, o parênquima pineal mostrou pinealócitos com grânulosnucleares e células intersticiais.

The role of melatonin in the chicken scoliosis model / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To define the role of melatonin in the pathogenesis of chickens scoliosis following pinealectomy and constant light irradiation. Methods Ten white leghorn chickens in the control group were kept in light-dark (12h:12h) cycle, 500 lx in daytime and 0-5 lx in nighttime after birth. Pinealectomy was performed in 20 white leghorn chickens when 3-day-old and then kept in light-dark cycle as the control group. Constant light (500 lx) irradiation was used to reduce the secretion of melatonin in 20 chickens after their births. Radiologic examinations were performed on all chicken spines for scoliosis monthly. When the chickens were 3-month-old, their mid-day and mid-night serum samples were collected and analyzed with ELISA kit for melatonin. Results There was no scoliosis in the control group and constant light group when the chickens were 3-month-old. In the pinealectomy group, 4 chickens had obvious scoliosis in the first month when X-ray examination was taken. The curved deformity progressed and became serious when the chickens grew up. There were 7 chickens with severe curved deformity in the second month. When the chickens were 3-month-old, there were totally 11 chickens with scoliosis, Cobb' angle 11?-85?, average 30.63?. The level of melatonin in control group was low in daytime (10.6 pg/ml) and high in nighttime (110.4 pg/ml) alternately. The melatonin level was much lower, daytime 8.4 pg/ml and nighttime 6.9 pg/ml in pinealectomy group and 10.8 pg/ml in constant light group. There was no statistical significance in the serum melatonin between the pinealectomy group and constant light group. Both groups remained low level of serum melatonin. Conclusion Pinealectomy can reduce the secretion of melatonin and induce scoliosis in chickens. Although constant light could suppress the secretion of melatonin in chicken serum, it did not induce scoliosis. The pathogenesis of chickens scoliosis might not be mediated by low-level melatonin.

Pineal Region Tumors : Clinical Analysis of 13 Cases

We reviewed 13 patients treated in the Department of Neurosurgery of the Presbyterian Medical Center from 1979 to 1982 who had tumors in the region of the pineal body. The treatment of such tumors has been in a state of flux between conservative therapy(cerebro-spinal fluid shunting and radiotherapy) and direct surgical removal. We compared both modes of treatment and analysed the patients in terms of clinical, pathological and radiological points of view. Good results were obtained by supracerebellar and infratentorial surgical approach.

A SEM-OBSERVATION ON THE EPITHELIAL SURFACE OF RAT PINEAL CAPSULE / 解剖学报

Objective To explore the structural foundation of transport pathway of pineal secretions from the pineal body to the cerebrospinal fluid of subarachnoid space. Methods The pineal capsule of the superficial pineal body of 1.5-month and 12-month old rats was observed under scanning electron microscope(SEM).Results Cribriform and trumpet-shaped epithelial stomata were scattered on the pineal capsule.Cribriform epithelial stomata were seen mostly in 1.5-month old rats.They were composed of many round pores which pierced through the full-thickness of the periphery of the capsule endothelium.The pores were dense and ranged from 200-500 nm in diameter;trumpet-shaped epithelial stomata were seen in both 1.5-month and 12-month old rats.Trumpet-shaped epithelial stomata were located among epithelial cells of the pineal capsule.They were round or elliptic in shape and ranged from 1-4 ?m in diameter.On the surface of the pineal capsule,many secretory granules were observed.They were spherule and 8001 000 nm in diameter.Conclusion The releasing pattern of secretory granules of the pineal body could include a releasing of the whole membrane;the pineal secretions may be transported directly from the pineal body to the cerebrospinal fluid of subarachnoid space through the epithelial stomata of the pineal capsule.