• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.238-241
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• 2005

The main causes of pineal apoplexy are hemorrhage associated with pineal region tumors, vascular malformations, and pineal cysts. Cavernous malformations rarely occur in the pineal region, with only fifteen cases reported previously. Hemorrhage associated with cavernous malformation causes apoplectic event in the pineal region. We report two surgically treated cases of pineal hemorrhage associated with cavernous malformation and discuss the consideration in management of the pineal apoplexy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.342-345
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• 2006

Objective : Gamma Knife Surgery[GKS] for the management of pineal region tumors is challengeable strategy as direct access to this area is not easy. The experiences of pineal region tumor patients treated with GKS were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness. Methods : Seven patients with tumors in the pineal region were treated with GKS between September 1998 and May 2005. The histological diagnosis were pineal parenchymal tumor [2 patients], low-grade astrocytoma [2 patients], immature teratoma [1 patient], and choriocarninoma [1 patient]. One patient was diagnosed as metastatic brain tumor based on histological diagnosis for primary site and brain imaging study. The median marginal dose was 15Gy [range; $11{\sim}20$] at the 50% isodose line. The median target volume was $2.5cm^3$ [range; $0.8{\sim}12.5$]. The median clinical follow up period was 29 months [range; $13{\sim}93$] and the median radiological follow up period was 18 months [range; $6{\sim}73$]. Results : Tumor volume measured in follow-up images showed reduction in six patients, disappearance in one. No adverse effect due to GKS was found during the follow-up period. The performance status was preserved in all patients except one who died due to progression of primary cancer in spite of controlled metastatic brain lesion. Conclusion : Gamma Knife Surgery can be applied to pineal region tumors irrespective of their histology whenever surgery is not indicated.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.575-580
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• 2001

Purpose : In general, pineal region tumors are managed by using microsurgical approach or stereoctactic biopsy. However, in selected cases endoscopic approach to pineal lesions might prove to be as effective as microsurgery and less invasive. We report an alternative surgical strategy for managing certain patients with pineal neoplasms that allows treatment of the symptomatic hydrocephalus as well as tumor biopsy under direct vision in the same sitting. Materials and Methods : Twenty-two patients with pineal region tumors with associated hydrocephalus were treated in one session by endoscopic third ventriculostomy and endoscopic tumor biopsy at our institution from October 1996 to January 2000. All patients were retrospectively evaluated. Results : There was no operative mortality. There was one cause of significant bleeding during biopsy, but was controlled endoscopically, and the patient recovered completely without neurologic deficit resulting from intra-operative bleeding. The symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure(ICP) have resolved in all patients, and the need for a shunt is completely eliminated. Histological diagnosis was achieved in 21 of the 22 patients by this procedure. A biopsy was not obtained in one patient. Although this pineal region tumor was seen endoscopically, this could not be biopsied because of technical difficulties in working around an enlarged massa intermedia. The lesions included fourteen germinomas, three mixed germ cell tumors, and one each of the followings: pineocytoma, pineoblastoma, pineocytoma/pineoblastoma(intermediate type), meningioma, and low grade glioma. Five of the 22 patients subsequently underwent formal microsurgical tumor removal. Additional chemotherapy or radiotherapy could then be initiated according to the histological diagnosis. Conclusion : We consider that endoscopy affords a minimally invasive way of reaching three objectives by one-step surgery in the management of pineal region tumors with associated hydrocephalus : 1) cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) sample for analysis of tumour markers and cytology, 2) treatment of hydrocephalus by third ventriculostomy, and 3) several biopsy specimens can be obtained identifying tumors which will require further open surgery or adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy. However, complications and morbidities should be emphasized so as to be avoided with further technical experience.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.479-482
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• 2015

We report a case of a 31-year-old woman with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in the pineal region with associated leptomeningeal dissemination and lumbar metastasis. The patient presented with severe headache and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a heterogeneously enhanced tumor in the pineal region with obstructive hydrocephalus. After an urgent ventricular-peritoneal shunt, she was treated by subtotal resection and chemotherapy concomitant with radiotherapy. Two months after surgery, MRI showed no changes in the residual tumor but leptomeningeal dissemination surrounding the brainstem. One month later, she exhibited severe lumbago and bilateral leg pain. Thoracico-lumbar MRI showed drop like metastasis in the lumbar region. Finally she died five months after the initial diagnosis. Neurosurgeons should pay attention to GBM in the pineal region, not only as an important differential diagnosis among the pineal tumors, but due to the aggressive features of leptomeningeal dissemination and spinal metastasis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.100-107
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• 2002

목적 : 뇌중심부에 위치한 종양의 치료에 수술적 절제는 높은 치사율과 합병증을 동반한다. 조직학적 진단을 얻지못한 뇌중심부 종양의 치료로 $20\~30\;Gy$의 시험적 방사선치료를 시행할 수 있으며 방사선에 대한 반응 정도로 조직학적 유형을 예상하여 적절한 치료 방침을 정할 수 있다. 이 연구는 조직학적 진단 없이 영상적 진단 하에 방사선치료를 시행한 송과체부 종양환자 30명의 치료결과를 후향적으로 분석하여 방사선치료의 유용성 및 방사선치료로 치유 가능한 종양의 특성을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1983년 3월부터 1995년 8월까지 강남성모병원 치료방사선과에서 송과체부 종양으로 조직학적 진단을 얻지 못하고 방사선치료를 시행한 30명의 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 환자들의 연령범위는 $7\~69$세(중앙값 16세)였으며 종양의 위치는 송과선(pineal gland) 18명$(60\%)$, 뇌하수체상부(suprasellar) 4명$(13.3\%)$, 송과선과 뇌하수체상부(pineal gland & suprasella) 2명$(6.7\%)$, 송과선와 주변 뇌실(pineal gland and paraventricle) 6명$(20\%)$이었다. $20\~30\;Gy/2\~3$주의 시험적 방사선치료를 시행한 후 CT 혹은 MRI를 추적 검사하여 방사선 반응성에 따라 최종 치료방침 및 방사선조사범위를 다시 결정하였다. 총방사선치료선량 범위는 $40.8\~59.4\;Gy$였으며(중앙값:50.4 Gy) 환자들의 중앙추적 기간은 36.5개월이었다($4\~172$개월). 결과 : 시험적 방사선치료 후 28명$(93.3\%)$의 환자에서 임상증상이 호전 혹은 안정되었고 영상학적 검사상 19명$(63.3\%)$에서 부분관해이상의 반응을 보였다. 전체환자의 2년 생존률과 5년 생존률은 각각 $66.7\%,\;55.1\%$였다. 시험적 방사선치료 후 임상 증상, 방사선 영상학적 반응정도에 따른 생존률의 차이는 없었다. 연령, 원발종양의 위치, 활동 수행정도$(KPS\geq70)$, 방사선치료 종료 후 최종 반응정도, 방사선조사야가 단변량분석에서 생존률과 무병생존률에 영향을 미치는 예후인자였다(p<0.05). 결론 : 시험적 방사선치료를 시행한 $63.3\%$의 환자에서 영상학적으로 종양의 반응이 관찰되었다. 그러나 뇌중심부 종양의 임상적 조직학적 양상은 매우 복잡 다양하여 초기 방사선 반응성만으로 조직학적 진단의 유추 및 완치여부를 예측하기는 어렵다. 향후에는 이와 같은 종양에서 1차적 시험적 방사선치료의 적용보다는 좀더 정확하고 비침습적인 조직학적 진단방법의 개발과 이에 따른 적절한 치료가 필요하다고 생각한다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권10호
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• pp.1245-1249
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• 2001

Germinomas of the central nervous system are rare embryonal tumors(accounting for less than 1% of intracranial neoplasms) that may be located in the pineal region, in the floor of the third ventricle, or in the suprasellar area. We report a case of germinoma developed in periventricular deep white matter without pineal region tumors or suprasellar masses. The 19-year-old male patient presented with slowly progressing headache, dizziness, photophobia, and dysarthria. Initial brain MRI revealed a irregular and dense enhancement from lateral ventricles to 4th ventricle. The stereotactic biopsy of tumor and histologic examination revealed the germinoma. Craniospinal axis radiation therapy was performed. After radiation therapy patient was improved and no neurologic sequelae was seen at discharge. Periventricular germinomas without pineal or suprasellar lesion are very rare. The radiation therapy, as in our case, is beneficial as with other intracranial germinomas. Stereotactic biopsy of periventricular germinoma provides precise pathologic diagnosis and thus allows more specific management.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.56-58
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• 2007

A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in semicomatous consciousness. Brain computed tomography scans demonstrated $2.6{\times}2.5\;cm$ sized hyperdense mass in the pineal region with multiple punctate calcifications and hydrocephalus. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a pineal mass which was heterogeneously enhanced with gadolinium. After external ventricular drainage, the patient regained consciousness. The mass was totally removed via occipital transtentorial approach. No consequent ventricular shunt was needed and the patient recovered without any neurological deficit. Final pathologic report of the tumor was ependymoma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.504-508
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• 2014

A 59-year-old male patient had 5-month history of gait disturbance and memory impairment. His initial brain computed tomography scan showed $3.5{\times}2.8cm$ sized mass with high density in the pineal region. The tumor was hypointense on T2 weighted magnetic resonance images and hyperintense on T1 weighted magnetic resonance images with heterogenous enhancement of central portion. The tumor was totally removed via the occipital transtentorial approach. Black mass was observed in the operation field, and after surgery, histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Whole spine magnetic resonance images and whole body 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography could not demonstrate the primary site of this melanoma. Scrupulous physical examination of his skin and mucosa was done and dark pigmented lesion on his left leg was found, but additional studies including magnetic resonance images and skin biopsy showed negative finding. As a result, final diagnosis of primary pineal malignant melanoma was made. He underwent treatment with the whole brain radiotherapy and extended local boost irradiation without chemotherapy. His preoperative symptoms were disappeared, and no other specific neurological deficits were founded. His follow-up image studies showed no recurrence or distant metastasis until 26 weeks after surgery. Primary pineal malignant melanomas are extremely rare intracranial tumors, and only 17 cases have been reported since 1899. The most recent case report showed favorable outcome by subtotal tumor resection followed by whole brain and extended local irradiation without chemotherapy. Our case is another result to prove that total tumor resection with radiotherapy can be the current optimal treatment for primary malignant melanoma in the pineal region.

• Brain Tumor Research and Treatment
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.73-77
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• 2018

Germinoma is the most common type of intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs). Pineal gland and suprasellar region are the most frequent sites of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Intracranial masses caused by Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) mimics features of CNS GCTs. LCH frequently involve spine and is the most common cause of vertebra plana in children. A 15-year-old boy presented with progressing symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria, general headache, nausea and severe back pain. Brain MRI showed brain tumor with simultaneous involvement of suprasellar region and pineal gland. An excisional biopsy of suprasellar mass was done. The pathologic assessment confirmed the diagnosis of germinoma. Patient's treatment continued accordingly. A spine MRI, done due to persistent backache, showed a vertebra plana. We reevaluated the primary diagnosis suspecting LCH. Germinoma of CNS was confirmed and a biopsy of vertebral lesion resulted in hemangioma. Thus we report a case of CNS germinoma with co-occurrence of vertebra plana. We emphasized the importance of histopathologic diagnosis of pineal/suprasellar masses and primary investigation of other CNS regions including spine for possible metastasis or comorbidities.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.177-184
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• 1991

1984년 12월 부터 1990년 2월까지 인제대학교 의과대학 부산 백병원 치료방사선과에서 송과선 및 뇌하수체상부에 위치한 종양으로 진단받은 16명의 환자에 대하여 외부 방사선 조사를 시행하였다. 조직학적 진단은 5명에서 가능했고 나머지 11명의 환자는 조직학적 진단없이 치료를 시작하였다. 방사선조사는 전뇌-척수부위(6명), 전뇌부위(9명), 종양부위(1명)로 시행하였다. 생명표에 의거한 환자의 생존율은 $71\%$였다. 조직학적 진단이 가능했던 3명, 종양 marker정상소견을 보인 7명 그리고 beta-HCG 증가를 보인 환자들은 방사선치료에 좋은 반응을 보였으나, AFP의 증가를 보인 환자에서는 방사선치료에 대한 반응이 좋지 않았다. 척수전이는 AFP증가를 보인 2예에서 관찰되었다. : 1명은 예방적 척추조사를 받았으나, 다른 한명은 받지 않았다. 이상의 고찰을 통하여 AFP의 증가를 보이는 환자에서는 방사선치료 외에 보다 적극적인 치료가 간구되어야 하며, 이런 환자에서는 조직학적 진단 없이 방사선 치료를 시작할 수 있다. 그리고 예방적 목적으로 척수조사를 하는 것은 뇌척수액 세포검사의 양성, 뇌 척수막으로의 전이, 뇌실 침범, 조직학적으로 입증된 생식세포종일 경우에는 고려할 수 있다.