Othr-09. A Retrospective Cohort Study Examining Radiologic and Clinical Characteristics of Children and Adolescents With Atypical/Complex Pineal Cysts

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The significance of atypical or complex pineal cysts (CPC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often unclear, and the appropriate management has not been well defined. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children and adolescents (0-18 years of age) with complex pineal cysts noted on brain MRIs obtained at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) prior to 05/31/2022. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records at CHLA to identify patients <18 years of age who were diagnosed with CPC upon MRI between January 1, 2010 and May 31, 2022. CPC were defined as cysts that are multi-cystic, enhancing, ≥1 cm in size, have a solid component, or exhibit restricted diffusion. Patients were identified by an automated Boolean search of a radiology report database; individual reports were then reviewed for eligibility. Patients with normal pineal glands or simple (<1 cm) pineal cysts were excluded. Electronic medical records were evaluated for patient chief complaint, initial clinical and radiographic symptoms, tumor markers (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein), and final diagnosis. RESULTS We identified a cohort of 175 patients; 106 (61%) were female. Mean age at initial MRI was 8.36 years of age (SD 5.36). Tumor markers were measured in 52 patients (30%). The most common presenting symptoms for patients were headache (34%), seizures (26%), nausea/vomiting (19%), weakness/fatigue (17%), and dizziness (12%). Additional presenting symptoms included ataxia, sensory changes, and anxiety. Pineal malignancies were identified in 4 patients (2.2%), which consisted of a pituitary pure germinoma, a pineal region parenchymal tumor, and two pineoblastomas. The remaining 98% of patients (171 patients) either had a benign pineal cyst or were categorized as unknown. CONCLUSION Most CPC are not associated with malignant neoplasms and represent incidental findings with scant clinical significance.