Age-related incidence of pineal calcification detected by computed tomography.

Abstract

The age-related incidence of detectable pineal calcification in 725 patients (age range, newborn-20 yr) suggests that there is a relationship between calcification and the hormonal role played by the pineal gland in the regulation of sexual development. Pineal calcification (demonstrated by computed tomography [CT] on 8-mm-thick sections) in patients < 6 yr old should be looked upon with suspicion, and follow-up CT should be considered to exclude the possible development of a pineal neoplasm.