Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT3392

Background and Objectives: Pineal gland calcification is rare in children under 3 years old and the prevalence increase with age. However, in children with pineal region germ cell tumors (GCT), pineal gland calcification is common and may has features that be different from physiological calcifications. Prevalence as well as the characteristics of pineal gland calcification by head CT images in children with pineal region GCTs were studied and were compared with normal children aged 0-15 years.

Methods: During the period 2015-2023, 2749 normal children and 32 children with pineal region GCTs, who had head CT images and aged 0-15 years were enrolled and were analysed.

Results: In normal children, the incidence of pineal gland calcification was 10. 8%. The prevalence was 1. 1% in children aged 6 years and below, while 23. 2% in children aged 7-15 years (P < 0. 001), and was 6. 2% in boys and 13% in girls respectively (P < 0. 001). In children with pineal region GCTs, 96. 7% found pineal calcifications, more than normal children (P < 0. 001). Pineal calcifications in GCTs had former significantly lower than that in normal children, and had special morphological features. The majority of pineal gland calcification in normal children was patchy (72. 7%), while in children with pineal region GCTs, the calcification morphology was mainly punctate + patchy (58. 6%) (P < 0. 001), and all of the latter’s calcification patterns were patchy or mixed.

Conclusion: In children aged 0-15 years, Physiologic pineal gland calcifications become increasingly prevalent with advancing age. Pineal gland calcification in children aged 6 and below is very rare, and attention should be paid to its pathological status. Compared with normal children, children with pineal region GCTs are more likely to develop pineal gland calcification, with a more diverse and extensive calcification morphology. When diagnosing intracranial germ cell tumors and brain MRI cannot accurately locate, cranial CT may provide key clues. KeywordsPineal Gland Calcification; CT; Physiological; GCTs