Aim: To determine the spectrum of pineal microstructures (solid/cystic parts) in a large clinical population using a high-resolution 3D-T2-weighted sequence.
Methods: A total of 347 patients enrolled for cranial magnetic resonance imaging were randomly included in this study. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The exclusion criteria were artifacts or mass lesions prohibiting evaluation of the pineal gland in any of the sequences. True-FISP-3D-imaging (1.5-T, isotropic voxel 0.9 mm) was performed in 347 adults (55.4 ± 18.1 years). Pineal gland volume (PGV), cystic volume, and parenchyma volume (cysts excluded) were measured manually.
Results: Overall, 40.3% of pineal glands were cystic. The median PGV was 54.6 mm(3) (78.33 ± 89.0 mm(3)), the median cystic volume was 5.4 mm(3) (15.8 ± 37.2 mm(3)), and the median parenchyma volume was 53.6 mm(3) (71.9 ± 66.7 mm(3)). In cystic glands, the standard deviation of the PGV was substantially higher than in solid glands (98% vs 58% of the mean). PGV declined with age (r = -0.130, P = 0.016).
Conclusion: The high interindividual volume variation is mainly related to cysts. Pineal parenchyma volume decreased slightly with age, whereas gender-related effects appear to be negligible.
Keywords: Etiology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pineal cyst; Pineal gland volume; Reference range.