Isolated pineal region metastasis of small cell lung cancer

The pineal region is an unusual site for brain metastasis and most metastatic pineal lesions are asymptomatic. Rarely the symptoms of metastatic involvement of the pineal gland precede those of the primary tumor or other metastatic sites. An 83 year-old man presented with gait disturbance and limitation of upward gaze. Brain MRI showed homogeneous enhancement of a solitary mass in the pineal region with obstructive hydrocephalus. A stereotactic biopsy was performed, and small cell carcinoma was diagnosed. A systemic investigation for the primary lesion subsequently revealed small cell carcinoma of the lung. The patient was referred for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Although rare, metastatic tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pineal region tumors, particularly in elderly patients. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.