Microsurgical Resection of Symptomatic Pineal Cysts

Czech version

Authors: Š. Čapek ^1,2; J. Škvor ³; E. Neubertová ⁴; M. Sameš ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Neurochirurgická klinika UJEP a Krajská zdravotní a. s., Masarykova nemocnice v Ústí nad Labem, o. z. ¹; Mezinárodní centrum klinického výzkumu, FN u sv. Anny v Brně ²; Dětská klinika UJEP a Krajská zdravotní a. s., Masarykova nemocnice v Ústí nad Labem, o. z. ³; Biolab, Praha k. s. ⁴
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2014; 77/110(1): 90-95
Category: Short Communication

Overview

Introduction:
The aim of the study was to review surgically treated patients with a pineal cyst with respect to an indication, therapy and outcome, and to provide an A to Z summary of pineal cysts spanning embryology to therapeutic possibilities.

Material and methods:
We retrospectively evaluated patients treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, Masaryk’s Hospital in Usti nad Labem between 2002 and 2012. All demographic data, symptoms, investigations and management data were recorded and evaluated.

Results:
Eight patients underwent a surgery (all female, median age 15.5 years), infratentorial-supracerebellar approach was used in all cases and the mean size of the cyst was 21 × 16 mm. Six patients presented with “typical” symptoms (headache, nausea, faintness, visual impairment), one with precocious puberty and one with progressive comatose condition. Mean follow-up time was 2.7 years. After the surgery, symptoms resolved completely in five patients (including the patient with precocious puberty) and partially in three.

Conclusion:
If correctly indicated, surgical resection is the optimal therapeutic approach to symptomatic pineal cysts. Based on our experience and published literature, we continue to consider the infratentorial-supracerebellar approach as a gold standard for surgical treatment of pineal cysts.

Key words:
pineal gland – epiphysis cerebri – cyst – surgery – headache

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE “uniform requirements” for biomedical papers.

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