Microsurgery of pineal region lesions in children.

Sixteen patients of the pediatric age group (mean age 6.9 years) harboring a tumorous, cystic or vascular mass lesion of the pineal region were evaluated for clinical, neuroradiological and microsurgical aspects. The heterogenous histological pattern of the lesions reflected various clinical signs and neuroradiological features. Computer assisted tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were the main neurodiagnostic tools, although angiography was an important complementary investigation in selected cases. Microsurgical approach and removal of the tumorous and cystic processes proved to be the rational treatment. Additional treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy was performed in malignant processes upon a precise histological evaluation of the tumor specimen.