We report the case of a 27 year-old male patient in whom acute intracr
anial hypertension led to the diagnosis of a pineal hemorrhagic cyst a
s demonstrated by CT-scan and MRI examinations. Treatment consisted in
stereotactic needle-aspiration following insertion of a ventriculo-pe
ritoneal shunt. Pathological examination confirmed a benign glial lesi
on. The outcome was good as complete shrinkage of the cyst and complet
e relief of the signs and symptoms were achieved. These clinical and r
adiological results persisted over four years. Approximately 70 cases
of symptomatic benign pineal cysts have been reported to-date. Surgica
l excision has been the method of choice. The present case and twelve
other cases of stereotactic management of the condition in the literat
ure suggest the interest of a mere stereotactic needle aspiration of t
hese lesions.