Pineal region tumor magnetic resonance imaging
Pineal region tumors do not have pathognomonic imaging findings in MRI; however, T1 hyperintensity, which is a key for imaging diagnosis according to recent reports. In particular, if the hyperintensity in T1 is not due to fat, calcification, melanin, or hemorrhage in a mass of the posterior commissure or pineal region, the diagnosis of a Papillary Tumor of the Pineal Region (PTPR) may be suggested 1).
Pineal parenchymal tumors show an “explosion” of normal pineal calcifications towards the periphery.
• Pineoblastomas often have restricted diffusion, with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values lower than germinomas.
• Pineal teratomas and pineal lipomas display fat signal characteristics and fat saturation on MRI.
• Pineal lesions in patients with known malignancy should raise suspicion of metastatic involvement.
• Pineal cysts and pineal arachnoid cysts show MRI signal characteristics similar to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 2).