DEVELOPMENT OF THE PINEAL-GLAND - MEASUREMENT WITH MR

PURPOSE: To use MR imaging in the analysis of the size of the normal p ineal gland in infants, children, and adolescents. METHODS: We retrosp ectively analyzed the size of the pineal gland in 249 patients (129 ma le and 120 female) aged 2 weeks to 20 years old. The maximum length (L ), height (H), and width (W) of the gland were determined from a combi nation of sagittal, coronal, and axial MR images obtained on a 1.5-T s canner. The volume was calculated by using the formula 1/2 x L x H x W , RESULTS: The size of the pineal gland was significantly smaller in p atients younger than 2 years old than in older patients. The size of t he pineal gland increased until 2 years of age and remained stationary between the ages of 2 and 20 years. We found a large variation in siz e among all age groups. No difference in size was noted between males and females. CONCLUSION: This study establishes norms for pineal gland size in infants younger than 2 years old and in children and adolesce nts 2 to 20 years old as detected with MR imaging, Knowledge of the si ze of the normal pineal gland is important in the detection of abnorma lities of the pineal gland, particularly neoplasms.