PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY AND CHORIOEPITHELIOMA OF THE PINEAL GLAND WITH REPORT OF A CASE

Abstract

SUMMARY: The case of a 6 year-old boy with precocious puberty suffering from recurrent cerebral accidents suggestive of subarachnoid haemorrhages is reported. At operation a haemorrhagic tumour involving the region of the pineal gland was discovered. Histological examination showed the tumour to be a chorioepithelioma. The question as to whether precocious sexual development was the result of an inherent endocrine activity of the tumour cells or of mechanical involvement of the neighbouring diencephalic centres, is discussed.