title: Pineal calcification is associated with pediatric primary brain tumor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Melatonin has been associated with various tumors, including brain tumor, and shown to inhibit growth of neuroblastoma cells and gliomas in animal models. Likewise, patients with glioblastoma receiving melatonin reported better survival than controls. Pineal calcification may lead to a decreased production of melatonin by calcified glands. This study assessed association between pineal calcification and primary brain tumor in pediatric/adolescent patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical chart review was conducted in 181 patients <15 years old who had undergone brain computed tomography (CT) during 2008-2012. Pineal calcification was identified using brain CT scan by an experienced neurosurgeon. Primary brain tumor was confirmed by CT scan and histology, and association with pineal calcification was estimated using multiple logistic regression, adjusted for age and gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary brain tumor was detected in 51 patients (mean age 9.0, standard deviation 4.0 years), with medulloblastoma being the most common (11 patients). Pineal calcification was detected in 12 patients (23.5%) with primary brain tumor, while only 11 patients (8.5%) without tumor had pineal calcification. Adjusted for patients' ages and genders, pineal calcification was associated with an increase in primary brain tumor of 2.82-fold (odds ratio 2.82; 95% confidence interval 1.12-7.08, P = 0.027).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pineal calcification appears to be associated with primary brain tumor. Further studies to explore this link are discussed and warranted.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Melatonin Research Group, Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tuntapakul
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Amnat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kitkhuandee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jaturat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanpittaya
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Melatonin Research Group, Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Melatonin Research Group, Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nutjaree Pratheepawanit
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Johns
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin
keywords: brain neoplasms; calcification; child; computed tomography; melatonin; pineal gland