Pineal xanthogranuloma.

A 64-year-old man presented a large pineal cystic lesion manifesting as headache and exhibiting unusual neuroradiological findings. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic lesion appearing as hyperintense on both T1- and T2-weighted images, and a nodular lesion which was hypointense on T1-and mixed intensity on T2-weighted images. The cystic mass was removed via a right occipital transtentorial approach. Histological examination disclosed that the inner surface of the cystic part consisted of bi-layered epithelial lining, portions of which had changed to stratified squamous epithelium. The solid part showed the characteristics of xanthogranuloma such as cholesterol clefts, hemosiderin-laden macrophages, and foreign body giant cells.