Pineal epidermoid tumors: report of five cases.

AIM The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse the clinical, radiological features and surgical outcome of pineal epidermoid tumors treated at a single neurosurgical department. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed surgery on five patients with pineal region epidermoid tumors at a single neurosurgical department between the years 1998 and 2006. Headache, diplopia and ataxia were the most common presenting findings. Parinaud's syndrome was found in three patients. Hydrocephalus was demonstrated radiologically in two patients. RESULTS Two patients were operated on with the occipital-transtentorial approach, two were operated on with the infratentorial-supracerebellar approach and one was operated on with van Wagenen's approach. Recurrence of tumor was observed in one patient. One patient died at the first postoperative month due to ventriculitis. CONCLUSION Total removal of epidermoid tumors may provide good clinical recovery and may reduce the possibility of tumor recurrence and shunt placement.