Benign tumours of the pineal region: a prospective study from 1983 to 1997.

Tumours of the pineal region are rare. Between 1983 and 1997, 128 patients with pineal masses were treated in our institution. Forty-eight (38%) of these were benign. There were 13 patients with meningiomas, 11 with epidermoid tumours, 10 with cystic lesions, five with vascular lesions, five with infective pathology and four with mature teratomas. All patients were managed surgically. Ventriculo-peritoneal shunts were inserted preoperatively to relieve hydrocephalus. Open surgery thereafter was mostly done through the supracerebellar infratentorial approach. The occipital transtentorial route was preferred for meningiomas. Stereotactic biopsy was used in two patients only. Radical excision of tumours was achieved in 55% of operated cases, partial excision in 25%. Radiation therapy, which was the mainstay of treatment earlier, was used only in two patients. Stereotactic radiosurgery was used in one patient. All patients followed up were found to be in good or excellent condition.