Pineocytoma

Incidence

They are rare tumors.

Origin

It originates from the pineocytes.

Macroscopic appearance and general characteristics

It is a circumscribed unencapsulated tumor, without a propensity for CSF spread.

Hemorrhage and necrosis are uncommon.

It has no male preponderance and occurs in the fourth decade.

It corresponds histologically to Grade II.

Microscopic appearance

The tumor is benign, well differentiated and composed of neoplastic pineal parenchymal cells, resembling normal parenchyma of the pineal gland.

Imaging features

The typical aspect of a pineocytoma is a homogeneous tumor with intense and homogeneous enhancement, with peripheral displacement of pineal calcifications, in contrast to germinomas that tend to surround the normal calcified pineal gland.

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