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A pineal gland cyst is a usually benign (non-malignant) cyst in the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland in the brain. Historically, these fluid-filled bodies appeared on 1-4% of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans, but were more frequently diagnosed at death, seen in 4-11% of autopsies. [1]
Pineocytoma, is a rare, benign, slowly growing tumor of the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland close to the center of the brain that secretes melatonin into the bloodstream. Pineocytomas can cause pressure and fluid build-up in the brain. They are more common in adults.
Symptomatic (producing or showing symptoms) cysts may require surgical removal if they are present in areas where brain damage is unavoidable, or if they produce chronic symptoms disruptive to the quality of life of the patient. Some examples of cyst removal procedures include: permanent drainage, fenestration, and endoscopic cyst fenestration. [3]
A pinealoma is a tumor of the pineal gland, a part of the brain that produces melatonin. If a pinealoma destroys the cells of the pineal gland in a child, it can cause precocious puberty . Signs and symptoms
The pineal gland is a small organ in the center of the brain that is responsible for controlling melatonin secretion. [2] Several tumors can occur in the area of the pineal gland, with the most aggressive being pineoblastoma. Pineoblastomas arise from embryonal cells in the pineal gland and are rapidly growing.
Neurologic symptoms and signs vary depending on the site of the brain abnormalities. Common symptoms are partial epilepsy, asymmetric spasticity, ataxia and cognitive impairment. [1] [2] [3] The latter affects visuospatial and visuoconstructive skills first. The intracranial pressure can be elevated if cysts develop in the brain.
I'd like to clarify that a cyst is not a tumor. It is my understanding that a cyst is fluid filled, whereas a tumor is a solid mass. As for the pineal gland cyst, most are asymptomatic - in other words, individuals lead normal lives with none of those symptoms described by in this article. Right now, there are no known causes of pineal gland cysts.
A craniopharyngioma is a rare type of brain tumor derived from pituitary gland embryonic tissue [1] that occurs most commonly in children, but also affects adults. It may present at any age, even in the prenatal and neonatal periods, but peak incidence rates are childhood-onset at 5–14 years and adult-onset at 50–74 years. [2]