Lung carcinoma metastasis presenting as a pineal region tumor

Abstract

An autopsy case is reported of pineal metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma, which is a rare manifestation of the disease. A 75-year-old man who had been found to have a lesion in the lung by chest CT 2 years previously, became aware of head heaviness and then suffered consciousness disturbance. Brain MRI revealed a solitary mass in the pineal region with hydrocephalus. At autopsy a midsagittal section of the brain disclosed a well-circumscribed mass consisting of epithelial cells occupying the third ventricle. Although it should be recognized that such metastasis is very rare, the present case provides further information that might be useful for diagnosis.