Evaluation of the relationship between pineal cyst and childhood headache with MR Imaging

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between pineal cyst and headache in children. MR imaging was performed in 65 pediatric patients with headache and in a control group of 65 children with a 1.5 T Siemens MR device. The presence of pineal cysts and cyst sizes were noted. True pineal cysts and cystic transformations were evaluated separately. True pineal cysts were detected in 15 (23%) patients in the headache group and in 1 (1.5%) patient in the control group. True pineal cysts were detected in 5 (15.6%) migraine patients and in 10 (30.3%) patients with non-migraine headaches. A significant correlation was found between non-migraine headaches and pineal cysts (p <0.05) on the chi-square testing. However, no significant relationship was found between migraine and pineal cyst on the Fisher?s exact chi-square test. Pineal cystic transformations were detected in 13 (20%) patients in the headache group, in 13 (20%) patients in the control group. Pineal cystic transformations were detected in 5 (15.6%) migraine patients and in 8 (24.2%) non-migraine headache patients. There was no significant relationship between non-migraine headache and pineal cystic transformation and between migraine and pineal cystic transformation on chi-square testing. In conclusion, disruption of the circadian release of melatonin may be causally related to headaches. The knowledge of clinicians that pineal cysts may play a role in headache development, may be of therapeutic relevance.