Pineal calcification is associated with pediatric primary brain tumor.

AIM: Melatonin has been associated with various tumors, including brain tumor, and shown to inhibit growth of neuroblastoma cells and gliomas in animal models. Likewise, patients with glioblastoma receiving melatonin reported better survival than controls. Pineal calcification may lead to a decreased production of melatonin by calcified glands. This study assessed association between pineal calcification and primary brain tumor in pediatric/adolescent patients.

METHODS

Medical chart review was conducted in 181 patients <15 years old who had undergone brain computed tomography (CT) during 2008-2012. Pineal calcification was identified using brain CT scan by an experienced neurosurgeon. Primary brain tumor was confirmed by CT scan and histology, and association with pineal calcification was estimated using multiple logistic regression, adjusted for age and gender.

RESULTS

Primary brain tumor was detected in 51 patients (mean age 9.0, standard deviation 4.0 years), with medulloblastoma being the most common (11 patients). Pineal calcification was detected in 12 patients (23.5%) with primary brain tumor, while only 11 patients (8.5%) without tumor had pineal calcification. Adjusted for patients' ages and genders, pineal calcification was associated with an increase in primary brain tumor of 2.82-fold (odds ratio 2.82; 95% confidence interval 1.12-7.08, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

Pineal calcification appears to be associated with primary brain tumor. Further studies to explore this link are discussed and warranted.