Tumors in the pineal region usually present with acute
hydrocephalus. Histologic diagnosis is most important, as it greatly influences treatment, because over 17
tumor types occur in this area. Biopsies of these lesions play an important role in further management.
Pineocytomas are benign and rare
tumors that typically exhibit a slow progression. However, the appropriate treatment for
pineocytoma varies. Surgical excision was considered for good long-term outcomes; however, this may not always be possible.
Radiotherapy also appears to be effective in patients with residual
pineocytomas. We report a case of
pineocytoma with hemorrhagic transformation and complicated
hydrocephalus. The patient refused to undergo aggressive
tumor excision. Thus, the patient only underwent endoscopic biopsy and external ventricular drain (EVD) implantation, but the outcome was acceptable. In addition, we reviewed the current management strategies for
pineocytomas in the literature.