Prevalence of pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification among iraqi patients attending CT scan units / Prevalencia de calcificación de la glándula pineal y del plexo coroideo entre pacientes iraquíes que asisten a las unidades de tomografía computarizada

SUMMARY: Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification followed by the choroid plexus calcification. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of the pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification among the Iraqi population attending computed tomography scan units in Baghdad, estimate the mean diameters of the pineal gland calcification, and to detect any correlation between these calcifications with age and sex. This multi-centric cross-sectional study examined 485 CT scans of Iraqi patients between the ages of 1 and 100 years attending CT scan units in the period 1 December 2018 to 1 April 2019. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The prevalence of pineal gland calcification was found to be 68 % with the 30-39 age group and male sex predominance. It was found to increase after the first decade of life without real consistency. The mean for pineal gland calcification anterior-posterior diameter was 4.55±2.13 and the mean of the right-left diameter was 3.95±1.54. These diameters were found to differ according to sex and age. Choroid plexus calcification was found to have a prevalence of 53.6 %. In most cases, choroid plexus calcification was found bilaterally (77.3 %). There was no difference in sex, but choroid plexus. In conclusion, calcification was noticed to increase gradually according to age. Both pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification have a relatively high prevalence. While pineal gland calcification formation was demonstrated to have a close relation to age and sex, choroid plexus calcification formation was noticed to relate only to age.

RESUMEN: La calcificación de la glándula pineal es la calcificación intracraneal fisiológica más común después de la calcificación del plexo coroideo. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de calcificación de la glándula pineal y del plexo coroideo entre la población iraquí que asiste a las unidades de tomografía computarizada en Bagdad, estimar los diámetros medios de la calcificación de la glándula pineal y detectar la posible correlación entre estas calcificaciones con la edad y el sexo. Este estudio transversal multicéntrico examinó 485 tomografías computarizadas de pacientes iraquíes entre 1 y 100 años de edad que asistieron a unidades de tomografía computarizada en el período del 1 de diciembre de 2018 al 1 de abril de 2019. Se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas e inferenciales. Se encontró una prevalencia de calcificación de la glándula pineal del 68 % con predominio del sexo masculino en el grupo de 30 a 39 años. Se observó que aumentaba después de la primera década de vida sin una coherencia real. La media del diámetro anteroposterior de la calcificación de la glándula pineal fue de 4,55 ± 2,13 y la media del DIÁ- METRO derecho-izquierdo fue de 3,95 ± 1,54; estos diámetros difieren según el sexo y la edad. La calcificación del plexo coroideo tiene una prevalencia del 53,6 %. En la mayoría de los casos, la calcificación del plexo coroideo se encontró de forma bilateral (77,3%). No hubo diferencia de sexo, no obstante en el plexo coroideo se observó que la calcificación aumentaba gradualmente según la edad. Tanto la calcificación de la glándula pineal como del plexo coroideo tienen una prevalencia relativamente alta. Si bien se demostró que la formación de calcificación de la glándula pineal está relacionada con la edad y el sexo, se observó que la formación de calcificación del plexo coroideo se relaciona solo con la edad.

Papillary Tumor of the Pineal Region:Report of One Case / 中国医学科学院学报

We report a case of papillary tumor in the pineal region.The imaging findings mainly included:(1)slight high density on CT images;(2)short T1 signal,cystic changes,and evident enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging.

Papillary Tumor of the Pineal Region: Case Report and Literature Review

Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a neuroectodermal tumor thought to originate from cells of the subcommissural organ. Its oncologic properties are still under investigation, as well as the most suitable therapeutic measures for this type of neoplasm.We report the case of a 36-year-old woman with a 1-year history of headache and intermittent diplopia. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a heterogeneously enhancing mass in the pineal region that caused an acute hydrocephalus, and an emergency shunt derivation was necessary. One week later, the patient was submitted to subtotal tumor resection, and remained asymptomatic in the post-operative period. In the follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic; in the imaging control 3.5 years after the surgical resection, local recurrence was identified, and the patient was submitted to a local radiation protocol. Our literature review showed an early clinical onset due to intracranial hypertension signs. Definitive clinical onset might be reached only through a histopathological examination. Gross total resection followed by radiotherapy is the current standard of care. Local recurrence is often observed, with rare dissemination to the cerebral spinal fluid. The natural history of the PTPR remains unknown, as well as the best treatment strategy. Large case series with longer follow-ups are necessary for further conclusions.

Computed tomographic evaluation of pineal calcification.

A prospective study to ascertain the incidence of normally calcified pineal gland, was carried out in 1000 consecutive patients from different parts of Uttar Pradesh (India), undergoing cranial computed tomography for reasons other than a pineal or parapineal pathology. A total of 167 (16.70%) patients were found to have calcified pineals. Of these 128 were males and 39 females. The incidence rose from 1.16 per cent in the first decade to 31.88 per cent above the age of 50 yr. The percentage incidence of normal pineal calcification was lower than that seen in the Western population. No significant difference was found between men and women in any age group. Although calcification appeared as early as the first decade, this percentage was significantly lower than in the higher age groups. Significantly higher incidence rates were seen in the second decade, third decade and sixth decade onwards.