title: Melanotic ganglioglioma of the pineal region.
abstract: A melanotic ganglioglioma was biopsied in the pineal region of a 12-month-old girl who preoperatively underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for hydrocephalus and postoperatively received radiotherapy. The tumor was subtotally excised when the girl was 7 years and 4 months of age. Histologically, it demonstrated mature neurons in disorganized clusters and in well-differentiated cerebrum-like tissue, rare binucleated neurons, glia similar to normal gray matter, and bands of fibrous tissue containing heavily pigmented cells. Ultrastructurally, melanosomes of stages I to IV were identified in the pigmented cells. An origin involving retinal differentiation of the primitive pineal gland was not supported; the tumor was negative for both retinal S-antigen (MAbA9-C6) and cellular retinal-binding protein (CRALBP). This report demonstrates the ability of a cerebral neoplasm to contain neurons, glia, and melanin-containing cells; all of which are neuroectodermally derived.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuropathology, Barrow Neurological Institute of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins