History

The mystique of the pineal gland’s function and the challenge of operating in this region make it worthwhile to provide a brief overview of the relevant historical facts. The anatomists of ancient times knew about the pineal body and named it konareion because of its cone-shaped appearance. It was first described by Herophilus of Alexandria (325-280 BC). Like all his contemporaries, he believed the ventricles to be the “seat of spirits” and thought that the pineal body acted like a sphincter, regulating the flow of thoughts between the third and the fourth ventricles. Galen (129-201 AD) was most likely the first to hypothesize that the pineal body served as a gland. During Galen’s time, the structures of the pineal region were compared with the external genital organs of men. They named the pineal body the “penis,” the superior colliculi of the quadrigeminal plate “testes,” and the inferior colliculli of the quadrigeminal plate “nates,” simply based on their comparable appearance to these structures. Gibson, in 1763, would later recapitulate these ideas in his Epitome of Anatomy.

Vesalius (1514-1564) described the pineal gland as being “similar to a cone from a pine tree.” His description in 1543 was the basis for the current name “pineal gland.” Descartes (1596-1650) during the seventeenth century suggested that the pineal gland be named epiphysis cerebri as he thought it was the “seat of the soul.” He suggested that the pineal body acted like a valve, regulating the passage of spirits between the ventricles. He conceived the human body as a machine controlled by the pineal gland, which activated all the organs. His descriptions in 1677 suggested that consciousness and the power of imagination were located in the pineal gland. The spiritual function played a decisive role in the neuroanatomy in the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. The medical scientists at that time were seeking the “seat of the soul” and thought the pineal gland was a central component in combination with Lancisi’s nerves (Giovanni Maria Lancisi, 1654-1720). “Brain science” was based on proving and confuting the theories of Galen. Many of his theories were based on the theory of animal spirits originally proposed by Herophilus of Chalcedon (335-280 BC), who is considered one of the pioneers in neuroscience and anatomy.

Medical history therefore has three hypotheses about the function of the pineal gland:

In general, tumors of the brainstem, as well as in the pineal region, were considered to be inoperable until the later part of the twentieth century. There are only scattered reports on attempted or successful operations. In most cases, the patient died during the operation or shortly afterward. One of the first clinical reports of a pineal region tumor in the twentieth century was made by Cushing in 1904. He reported a bitemporal compression in a 28-year-old man with clinical evidence of a pineal region tumor. A few weeks later, the autopsy revealed the presence of a glioma of the quadrigeminal plate. The first direct surgical intervention was described by Horsley in 1905, and the first successful pineal region extirpation was described by Oppenheim and Krause in 1913. Since that time, a great number of neurosurgeons and investigators have written extensively on this topic, including McLean (1935), Dandy (1945), Pia (1954), Bailey (1964), Schmidek (1977), Pendl (1985), Schindler (1985), Slavin and Ausman (1991), and Tomita (2000), among others. More recent publications by Blakeley (2006), Kobayashi and Lunsford (2009), and some others are dealing with multimodal treatment options, including fractionated radiotherapy and multidisciplinary cooperation.

Anatomy

The pineal region is defined as the area of the brain bordered superiorly by the splenium of the corpus callosum and the tela choroidea, inferiorly by the quadrigeminal plate and midbrain tectum, anteriorly by the posterior parts of the third ventricle, and posteriorly by the cerebellar vermis as can be nicely shown in a midline sagittal section through the pineal gland and surrounding anatomical structures in an injected fixed human cadaver (Fig. 37.1). The pineal gland itself, as an invagination of the diencephalic ependymal roof between the habenular commissure and the posterior commissure, lies between the superior colliculi and basal to the splenium of the corpus callosum. It has a thin stalk to the epithalamus and developmentally is considered to be a paired structure. The neural connections with adjacent centers are the topic of discussion but have to be clarified. The pineal body itself has an average length of 7.97 mm (range 5.0-12.0 mm) and is 4.25 mm (2.5-7.0 mm) in height and width. It is oval in shape. The suprapineal recess projects posteriorly between the upper surface of the pineal gland and the lower layer of the tela choroidea in the roof. The stalk of the pineal body, from which the gland extends into the quadrigeminal cistern, has a cranial lamina and a caudal lamina. The habenular commissure, which connects the habenulae, crosses the midline over the cranial lamina, and the posterior commissure crosses the caudal lamina. The pineal recess projects posteriorly from the third ventricle into the pineal body between the two laminae. The posterior commissure forms the base of the triangular orifice of the aqueduct of Sylvius; the other two limbs are formed by the central gray matter of the midbrain. The quadrigeminal cistern is the subarachnoid space of the pineal region, and provides protection for the midbrain from the sharp edge of the tentorial notch. The arteries and veins inside the cistern are embedded in the firm arachnoidal septa. The quadrigeminal cistern communicates anteriorly with the cistern of the tela choroidea of the third ventricle, dorsally along the great vein of Galen with the dorsal cistern of the corpus callosum, laterally into the alae, caudally into the superior cistern of the cerebellum, which is formed by the medullary velum and the vermis, and anterodorsally into the ambient cistern. Through the latter cistern, the large arteries, the posterior cerebral artery and its branches, and the superior cerebellar artery approach the dorsal surface of the brainstem along the edge of the tentorium. The posterior border of the quadrigeminal cistern is formed by thickened opalescent arachnoid. Care must be taken when dissecting this area because the vein of Galen and its tributaries lie immediately rostral. The mesencephalon with the pineal body has its arterial blood supply from various sources. Small vessels supplying the parenchyma of the cerebral peduncles and the rest of the midbrain arise from the posterior communicating artery as perforating branches forming an internal or direct system. The vascularization in situ can be shown using neuroendoscopic techniques in injected human cadavers (arteries red, veins blue) and gives an impression of the enormous variety of the vascular structure (Fig. 37.2). All these arteries widely anastomose with each other, which explains the rarity of infarcts in the mesencephalon and the relative tolerance of the midbrain to direct surgical intervention. The pineal body is supplied by the pineal artery, which originates from the medial posterior choroidal artery, arising from the posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and enters the gland through its lateral portion from both sides. The great vein of Galen and its tributaries form a roof-like, dense venous network above the pineal body and the quadrigeminal plate, formed from the internal cerebral veins after they pass posteriorly through the tela choroidea and unite with the basal veins of Rosenthal. Other tributaries of the vein of Galen include the precentral cerebellar vein, internal occipital vein, posterior mesencephalic vein, and posterior ventricular vein. The straight sinus is formed by the joining of the great vein of Galen with the inferior sagittal sinus.

FIGURE 37.1 Midline sagittal section through the pineal region and related structures in a fixed human cadaver, vessels injected in red (arteries) and blue (veins).

FIGURE 37.2 Endoscopic view using a supracerebellar infratentorial approach demonstrating the pineal gland and the collicular plate. Note the variability of the vascularization; veins injected in blue, arteries in red in a nonfixed human cadaver.

(Courtesy of A. Di-Ieva and M. Tschabitscher, Anatomical Institute, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.)

Histology

The normal pineal gland contains pinealocytes derived from amino precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) cells and glial cells (astrocytes). The pineal gland is usually calcified by the age of 16 and appears so on routine computed tomography (CT) scans. Pineal cysts can be found incidentally in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in about 1.1% to 4.3% and this incidence seems to be higher in females (~2.4%) than in males (~1.5%) (Fig. 37.3). They can be identified in patients of all ages, with an increased prevalence found in older patients and in approximately 25% to 40% of autopsies, albeit many of the pineal cysts are microcystic. Their etiology remains obscure and may be the result of ischemic glial degeneration or of sequestration of the pineal diverticulum. Usually they are benign, non-neoplastic and may contain clear, xanthochromic, sometimes hemorrhagic, fluid. In the majority of cases, they are asymptomatic and may be followed on serial MRIs. Only in very rare cases do they show an enlargement, and may become symptomatic by causing hydrocephalus through aqueductal compression, headache, or gaze paresis, or hypothalamic symptoms. In those unusual situations with neurological symptoms or signs there is an indication to consider neurosurgical intervention.

FIGURE 37.3 Typical cyst of the pineal region incidentally found in routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (40-year-old woman). Sagittal plane (A). The cyst is completely unchanged in a follow-up series more than 15 years later (B).

(Courtesy of K. Turetschek, Diagnostic Center Favoriten,Vienna.)

Function

In reptiles, the pineal gland functions as a photoreceptor to change skin color in response to light. In humans, it is involved with hormone secretion for circadian rhythms and is known to have a neurotransmitter secretory function. The pineal gland inhibits gonadal development and regulates menstruation, adrenal function, and thyroid function. It is innervated by sympathetic nerves from the superior cervical ganglion that release norepinephrine to increase the pineal gland’s melatonin secretion. Light stimuli thereby reach the pineal gland from the retina via a polysynaptic pathway and affect the production of the neuroendocrine substance, melatonin. Melatonin, a derivative of serotonin, is essential in regulating circadian rhythms in endocrine gland activity and produces an antigonadal effect through the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis. The production of melatonin is inhibited by light. Apparently, in many animals the major function of the pineal gland is to regulate the reproductive cycle; in fall and winter when days are short, more melatonin is produced, causing a gonad-suppressing effect. The exact function of the pineal gland in humans remains unclear. Recent studies could prove a diagnostic value of the melatonin profile in case of tumors of the pineal region. These studies showed a dramatically reduced melatonin rhythm in cases of undifferentiated or invasive tumors as well as the absence of melatonin variation as a consequence of pineal distortion after surgery. Also, the evidence for melatonin deficiency is recognized as a predictive factor to prevent post-pinealectomy syndrome. The absence of production of melatonin, as after pinealectomy, causes a “jet-lag-like” syndrome consisting of a complete disturbance of circadian rhythms.

Pathology

Pineal region tumors are rare tumors, with an estimated overall incidence of about 1% of all intracranial tumors (ranging from 0.5% to 1.6% in different studies) and are more common in children (3-8%) than in adults (less than 1%). Also, the incidence of pineal region tumors is higher among the Japanese, at 4-6% of all intracranial tumors. A population-based study calculated the incidence of pineal region tumors at 0.06 to 0.07 per 100,000 persons per year. No significant differences in the incidence between races were noted. Other reports describe the incidence in children younger than 20 years of age to be about 0.061 per 100,000 children per year. They are uncommon tumors and occur in a wide variety of different histological types. Furthermore, many tumors are of mixed cell type. The pathological classification depends on the substrate in the pineal region from which the tumor may arise. There are tumors which arise from the pineal glandular tissue itself, such as pinealocytomas (WHO grade I), pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation (WHO grades II or III), pinealoblastomas (WHO grade IV), and papillary tumors of the pineal region. Other tumors arise from the glial cells, such as astrocytomas, oligodrendrogliomas, and glial cysts. Arachnoid cells are the basis for pineal-region meningiomas and non-neoplastic arachnoid cysts. Ependymal cells give rise to ependymomas in this region. Sympathetic nerves serve as a substrate for chemodectomas. Germ cell remnants give rise to germ cell tumors such as germinoma, choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor), and teratoma. Lastly, the absence of a blood-brain barrier in the pineal gland makes it a suitable site for hematogenous metastases mostly from breast cancer, stomach cancer, renal cancer, or melanomas (Table 37.1).

TABLE 37.1 Types of Pineal Tumors: 2007 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System

Louis DN, Cavanee WK, Oghaki H. WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System, 4th ed: WHO Classification of Tumours v. 1 (IARC WHO Classification of Tumours), World Health Org; 4th edition (May 2007).

Several authors have described different classification systems. The most current classification system for pure pineal parenchymal tumors is from the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System edited by Louis and associates and published in 2007.

Germ Cell Tumors

Germ cell tumors derive from pluripotential germ cells and span a wide range of differentiation and malignant characteristics. They constitute a unique class of rare tumors that affect mainly children and adolescents. Predominantly they occur in the midline when they arise in the central nervous system (CNS). Intracranial germ cell tumors, in general, account for 0.4% to 3.4% of intracranial neoplasms. Their average incidence is considered to be 0.1 per 100,000 persons per year. Pineal germ cell tumors occur primarily in males. Germ cell tumors in females are more common in the suprasellar region. Most germ cell tumors of the CNS occur in the first three decades (98%) with a peak in the second decade (65%) between 11 and 20 years. The histogenesis of germ cell tumors is a subject of controversy. For a long time, they have been assumed to represent the neoplastic offspring of primordial germ cells. During the last decade, however, a variety of speculative proposals have been published on this topic. As a result of the etiology, certain observations suggest that gonadotropins play a role in the development or progression of CNS germ cell tumors. These include the predilection with Klinefelter syndrome, a condition characterized by chronically elevated serum levels of gonadotropins. Due to the variety of possible origins, the following entities are distinguished: germinoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor), choriocarcinoma, mature teratoma, immature teratoma, teratoma with malignant transformation, and mixed germ cell tumors. An accurate histological identification and subclassification of CNS germ cell tumors is critical for current treatment planning and prognostication. In fact, only the germinoma and teratoma are likely to be encountered as pure tumor types.

Germinoma

Pure germinomas (Fig. 37.4A to C) account for 65% to 72% of all intracranial germ cell tumors. These usually occur in the pineal region, although the second most common site is supra- and intrasellar, sometimes also parasellar. Germ cell tumors can be “synchronous,” and can be found both in the the suprasellar region and in the pineal region approximately 10% of the time. In fact, the discovery of a synchronous lesion on MRI is indicative of a germ cell tumor. The germ cell tumors are usually poorly circumscribed, light gray, granular, solid neoplasms that destroy the pineal gland and infiltrate the ventricular system and subarachnoid space early in their course. Hemorrhage into the tumor and necrosis or cystic degeneration are not often found. This tumor is composed of uniform cells resembling primitive germ cells, with large, vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and a clear, glycogen-rich cytoplasm. Additional features include lymphoid or lymphoplasma cellular infiltrates and, less frequently, scattered syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells (Fig. 37.5A and B).

FIGURE 37.4 Midline sagittal section through the brain, with gross appearance of a germinoma. The tumor is infiltrating the brainstem at the level of the midbrain (A). Frontal section through the brain, gross appearance of a germinoma growing into the ventricle (B). Tumor cells of a germinoma in the postoperative cerebrospinal fluid representing a typical large cell with two prominent nucleoli (MGG [May-Grunwald Giemsa], ×600) (C).

(Courtesy of Q. Koperek, Neuropathological Institute, Medical University of Vienna.)

FIGURE 37.5 Histopathological features of a germinoma with typical lymphocytic infiltrates along fibrovascular septae (H&E, ×200) (A) and immunohistochemistry staining of the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic membrane with placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) (×400) (B).

(Courtesy of O. Koperek, Neuropathological Institute, Medical University of Vienna.)

Teratoma

Teratomas (Fig. 37.6A and B) derive from all germ layers and are composed of well-differentiated tissues in an organ-like pattern. These tumors in the pineal region most often affect males. They are usually identified within the first two decades of life but occur more often in much younger children than other germ cell tumors (mostly in children younger than 9 years of age; about 20% occur between the ages of 16 and 18). By definition, the term teratoma can be used only when tumor elements derive from two or three germ layers. These tumors are usually well circumscribed, round or lobulated, and multicystic and compress the surrounding structures. The cystic component of the tumor may be watery, mucoid, or sebaceous. Sometimes bone, cartilage, hair, or teeth are present. Immature tumors are more frequently associated with a malignant course. Histologically, teratomas differentiate along ectodermal, endodermal, and mesodermal lines (e.g., they recapitulate somatic development from the three embryonic germ layers). Mature and immature variants as well as teratomas with malignant transformation must be distinguished from each other.

FIGURE 37.6 Histopathological features of a teratoma of the pineal region with fetal-type glands and embryonic mesenchyme–like stroma (H&E, ×200) (B). Immunohistochemistry out of (A) staining with synaptophysin representing the immature neuronal differentiated appearance (×200) (B).

(Courtesy of Q. Koperek, Neuropathological Institute, Medical University of Vienna.)

Mature Teratoma

Mature teratomas are composed exclusively of fully differentiated, “adult-type” tissue elements that are sometimes arranged in patterns resembling normal tissue relationships. Mitotic activity is low or even absent.

Immature Teratoma

This teratoma variant is composed of incompletely differentiated components resembling fetal tissue. Immature tumors are more frequently associated with a malignant course, but malignant potential may be explained by the presence of other germ cell tumor elements, such as choriocarcinoma or germinoma.

Teratoma with Malignant Transformation

Teratoma with malignant transformation is the generic designation for occasional teratomatous neoplasm that contains as an additional malignant component a cancer of conventional somatic type. Detecting evidence of a malignant transformation within a germ cell tumor should state the specific histological form that this takes.

Pineal Parenchymal Tumors

As described in the previous section, these types of tumors constitute the second major group of pineal region tumors, accounting for 20% to 30% of all neoplasms in this location. They are considered to be the true neoplasm of the parenchyma of the pineal gland and are usually sharply delineated, with some formation of capsule and displacement of surrounding structures such as thalamus and midbrain. As a result of the variety of histological origins, the following entities are distinguished: pinealocytomas (WHO grade I), pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation (WHO grades II or III), pinealoblastomas (WHO grade IV), and papillary tumors of the pineal region.

Pinealocytoma (WHO Grade I)

Pinealocytomas are defined as slow-growing pineal parenchymal neoplasms. They represent approximately 45% of all tumors with pineal parenchymal origin and occur throughout life, but most frequently in young adults (25-35 years). There is no sex predilection. Macroscopically, these tumors are well circumscribed with a gray-tan, homogeneous or granular cut surface. Degenerative changes, such as hemorrhage and small cystic cavities, can be present. They may disseminate widely along the CSF pathways. The histological appearance is of a well-differentiated neoplasm composed of small, uniform, mature cells resembling pinealocytes (Fig. 37.7A to C). They grow in sheets, but also feature large pinealocytomatous rosettes composed of abundant, delicate tumor cell processes. Pinealocytomas may contain astrocytic or neuronal components or both (so-called ganglioma of the pineal gland). Such tumors are the most benign of the pineal parenchymal neoplasms.

FIGURE 37.7 Histopathological features of a pinealocytoma with characteristic lobular pattern mimicking the structure of the normal pineal gland (H&E, ×200) (A), isomorphic cells with small round nuclei and nucleus-free spaces filled with a fine meshwork of cell processes (neuropils) (H&E, ×400) (B), and immunohistochemistry intensive diffuse staining with synaptophysin (×200) (C).

(Courtesy of Q. Koperek, Neuropathological Institute, Medical University of Vienna.)