title: Physiologic calcification of the pineal gland in children on computed tomography: prevalence, observer reliability and association with choroid plexus calcification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence of physiologic pineal calcification, estimate observer variability, and examine the association with choroid plexus calcification.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of hard copy head computed tomography films of 242 patients age younger than 16 years by two independent observers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physiologic pineal calcification was present in 20% of the whole group, in 39% of those 8-14 years age, in 8% of those younger than 10 years age, and in 1% of those younger than age 6 years. Observer agreement was very good (kappa = 0.72). Choroid plexus calcification was present in 16% and was four times as common in those with pineal calcification (38% versus 10%, P = .005), with very good observer agreement (kappa = 0.74).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physiologic pineal calcification is more common in children than previously reported, mostly because of improving computed tomography technology. There is an association with choroid plexus calcification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Middlemore Hospital, University of Auckland, Hospital Road, Otahuhu, Auckland 1006, New Zealand. adoyle@middlemore.co.nz
authors.forename: Anthony James
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Graeme D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed