Purpose: To report on the frequency of cysts and tumors of the pineal gland in patients with retinoblastoma.

Design: Observational retrospective case control study.

Setting: Institutional. study population: Four hundred eight patients treated for retinoblastoma from January 2000 to January 2012 at Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Observation Procedure: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the pineal gland were evaluated in all patients with retinoblastoma. Characteristics of patients with pineal cysts and pineoblastoma were reviewed.

Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of frequency of pineal gland cyst and pineoblastoma in children managed with systemic chemoreduction vs other methods.

Results: Of 408 patients, treatment included systemic chemoreduction in 252 (62%) and nonchemoreduction methods in 156 (38%). Overall, 34 patients (8%) manifested pineal gland cyst and 4 (1%) showed pineoblastoma. Of all 408 patients, comparison (chemoreduction vs nonchemoreduction) revealed pineal cyst (20/252 vs 14/156, P = .7) and pineoblastoma (1/252 vs 3/156, P = .1). The pineal cyst (n = 34) (mean diameter 4 mm) was asymptomatic (n = 34), followed conservatively (n = 34), and with minimal enlargement (n = 2, 9%) but without progression to pineoblastoma. The cyst was found in 22 germline and 12 nongermline patients (P = .15). Among the 4 patients with pineoblastoma, all had germline mutation and 2 had family history of retinoblastoma. Among all patients with family history of retinoblastoma (n = 45), 2 (4%) developed pineoblastoma. The pineoblastoma was asymptomatic in 2 patients and symptomatic with vomiting and headache in 2 patients. The mean interval from date of retinoblastoma detection to pineal cyst was 2 months (median 2, range 0-8 months) and to pineoblastoma was 27 months (median 28, range 7-46 months). Management included aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with 2 survivors.

Conclusions: Pineal gland cyst was incidentally detected in 8% of retinoblastoma patients, causing no symptoms, and without progression to pineoblastoma. Pineoblastoma was detected in 1% of patients and fewer patients who received systemic chemotherapy developed pineoblastoma, possibly indicating a systemic protective effect.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2013.05.023DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

pineal gland
24
gland cyst
16
patients
15
pineoblastoma
13
cyst pineoblastoma
12
pineal cyst
12
pineal
9
cyst
8
pineoblastoma children
8
systemic chemoreduction
8

Similar Publications

Alprazolam (Alp), a triazolobenzodiazepine, is widely prescribed for the treatment of sleep disorders, anxiety, and panic disorder. While oral administration remains the standard route, its slow onset of action has prompted interest in intranasal delivery as an alternative, offers the potential for direct drug delivery to the brain. This study aims to develop a fast-acting intranasal formulation of Alp (Alp-nd).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It has been widely studied for its therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly through the amyloidosis, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation pathways. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which it exerts its neuroprotective effects in AD are still largely unknown.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Chronic Dexamethasone Disturbs the Circadian Rhythm of Melatonin and Clock Genes in Goats.

Animals (Basel)

January 2025

Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.

Article Synopsis
  • Dex, a drug used for its immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects, disrupts melatonin secretion and biological clock gene expression in goats.
  • After 21 days of Dex treatment, goats showed significantly lower melatonin levels in both plasma and colon, as well as decreased expression of AANAT, a key enzyme for melatonin synthesis.
  • The circadian rhythms of several clock genes were disrupted in the Dex group, along with notable changes in CLOCK and BMAL1 protein levels, indicating that chronic Dex exposure affects biological rhythm regulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Although fluoride is known to be effective and safe, an increasing number of parents refuse to allow fluoride applications for their children. This study aimed to compare the parents who accepted and rejected fluoride application for their children in terms of their attitudes toward fluoride and vaccinations, sociodemographic characteristics, and source of knowledge.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a previously validated questionnaire was administered to 85 parents who did not consent to have topical fluoride applied to their children's teeth (AF group) and the 143 parents who consented to have it applied (F group) in a pediatric dentistry clinic.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!