Keywords
Immunohistochemistry - keratin - papillary tumor - pineal - ultrastructure
Introduction
Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a rare neuroepithelial tumor arising
from specialized ependyma of the subcommissural organ (SCO). PTPR was first described
by Jouvet et al. in 2003.[1] It is a newly recognized entity and introduced in the WHO classification of central
nervous system tumors in 2007.[2] It commonly occurs in adults, though age ranges from 5 to 66 years with a slight
female predominance.[3] Headache is the most common presentation due to increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure
resulting from compression of the cerebral aqueduct. Herein, we report a case of PTPR
in a 25-year-old male with emphasis on immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural features.
Case Report
A 25-year-old male presented to the neurosurgery outpatient department with the chief
complaints of gradual-onset and slowly progressive headache associated with intermittent
episodes of vomiting for 5 months. The patient also noted diminution of vision in
both the eyes for 1 month. A single episode of loss of consciousness for 15 min was
elucidated. No history of neurological deficits or seizures was present. Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) showed a heterogeneously enhancing mass below the splenium
of corpus callosum invading into the posterior 3rd ventricle compressing tectal plate
inferiorly and compromising cerebral aqueduct, measuring 50 mm × 28 mm × 24 mm and
suggestive of pineoblastoma [Figure 1]. Anterior 3rd and both the lateral ventricles were dilated. A midline suboccipital
craniotomy, infratentorial supracerebellar approach, and tumor decompression were
done. Postoperatively, the patient could not be weaned off ventilation; later, his
condition deteriorated, and he succumbed to cardiac arrest on the 4th day.
Figure 1: Magnetic resonance imaging T1-weighted contrast image of sagittal section
showing a heterogeneously enhancing mass below the splenium of corpus callosum invaginating
into the posterior 3rd ventricle compressing tectal plate inferiorly and compromising
cerebral aqueduct likely a pineal mass measuring 50 mm × 28 mm × 24 mm in maximum
anteroposterior, cephalocaudal, and lateral dimensions, respectively
Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructural features
The tumor consisted of cells arranged as diffuse solid sheets and forming occasional
pseudorosettes and many papillary structures. The tumor cells were small with a moderate
amount of cytoplasm, oval to round nuclei with dispersed chromatin, and mostly inconspicuous
nucleoli [Figure 2]a. Occasional mitosis was noted [Figure 2]b. No necrosis, atypia, or microvascular proliferation was seen. The tumor cells
were positive for both epithelial and mesenchymal markers including strong and diffuse
positivity for pancytokeratin (AE1/AE3), CK18, vimentin, and S-100 and focally for
synaptophysin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and epithelial membrane antigen
[Figure 2]c, [Figure 2]d, [Figure 2]e, [Figure 2]f, [Figure 2]g, [Figure 2]h,[Figure 2]i. The tumor cells were negative for chromogranin-A, neurofilament protein, CK7,
CK20, and CK5/6. A MIB-1 labeling index of 2%–3% was noted. On electron microscopy,
these cells delineated microvilli and cilia similar to ependymoma, which confirmed
their origin from the SCO of the pineal region [Figure 3]a, [Figure 3]b.
Figure 2: Photomicrographs showing (a) tumor cells arranged in a diffuse sheet and
papillary fronds (H and E × 400), (b) arrow showing mitotic figure with inset highlighting
papillary fronds (H and E × 400), (c) AE1/AE3 and (d) CK18 stains showing both membranous
and dot positivity (×400), (e) S-100 stain showing both nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity
(×400), (f) vimentin stain showing cytoplasmic positivity (×400), (g) synaptophysin
stain showing cytoplasmic positivity (×400), (h) glial fibrillary acidic protein stain
showing focal fibrillar positivity (×400), (i) epithelial membrane antigen stain showing
occasional dot-like positivity (arrow) (×400)
Figure 3: Electron microscopic pictures (a and b) showing numerous cilia and microvilli
in the surface lining (arrow) (×50,000)
Discussion
PTPR is a rare tumor of the pineal region. Since its first description, about 70 cases
have been reported mainly as case reports and short case series. PTPR presents as
a circumscribed mass with a well-delineated border with adjacent pineal gland and
brain parenchyma. On computer tomography, it appears as a hypodense contrast-enhancing
mass, whereas MRI shows hyperintensity on T2-weighted sequence and enhancement on
T1-weighted sequences with gadolinium. However, these imaging findings are not a characteristic
diagnostic feature for PTPR.
The PTPRs are thought to arise from the remnants of specialized ependymal cells of
the subcommissural organ, which is supported by the tumor location, immunohistochemical
expression of nestin and CK18, and ultrastructural features.[3]
As the name indicates, light microscopy shows characteristic papillary fronds admixed
with variable amount of solid components comprising pseudorosettes, true rosettes,
and tubules with lumina. The fibrovascular core of the papillary fronds may be hyalinized
and covered with pseudostratified columnar epithelial lining. Mitotic activity is
variable. Necrosis may be seen. In our case, occasional mitoses 1–2/10 hpf was noted;
however, necrosis was absent.
PTPRs show a characteristic pattern of expression for keratins, which is more prominent
in papillaroid fragments. A wide keratin panel including AE1/AE3, CAM5.2, KL1, and
CK18 are usually positive. Some cases may also show focal positivity for CK7 and CK5/6;
however, CK20 remains negative. Our case showed both membranous and unique dot-like
Golgi zone positivity for AE1/AE3 and CK18, whereas it was negative for CK7 and CK5/6.
Although dot positivity for EMA is described, this case exceptionally showed keratin
expression in the form of dot-like positivity in the Golgi zone.
Other nonepithelial markers such as S-100, vimentin, synaptophysin, neuron-specific
enolase, chromogranin, and GFAP with variable expression are also described.[4] This case showed focal positivity for synaptophysin, S-100, vimentin, and GFAP.
Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) is an infrequently expressed marker, which may show
dot-like positivity similar to ependymoma. We found occasional cells displaying dot-like
EMA expression [Figure 2]i.
Many tumors of the pineal region can present with papillary architecture. The two
major differential diagnoses are papillary ependymoma and choroid plexus tumors. Choroid
plexus tumors usually show CK7 positivity and CK 20 negativity. Choroid plexus tumors
can be confirmed by Kir-7.1 and stanniocalcin-1 staining.
Papillary ependymomas show many overlapping features on light microscopy and ultrastructurally,
but a more diffuse GFAP and EMA positivity and rare expression of CK distinguish it
from PTPR.
At present, not enough data are available to form clinical guidelines for the treatment
of PTPR. Rickard et al.[5] in their analysis of 59 PTPR patients found description of treatment modalities
in 56 patients, in which surgery was used alone in 23.2%, surgery with radiotherapy
in 42.9%, and surgery plus radiotherapy and chemotherapy in 30.3% of patients. The
prognosis of PTPR is uncertain. Frequent local recurrence and occasional spinal dissemination
is described. In 2007 WHO classification, PTPR is graded as either Grade II or III
and definite grading could not be done.
Fèvre-Montange et al.[6] in their series of 31 patients found progression in 72% of the cases with a 5-year
overall survival and progression-free survival in 73% and 27% of the cases, respectively.
Only gross total resection was found to be associated with overall survival and recurrence.
Heim et al.[7] found that increased mitotic and proliferative activities are associated with worse
prognosis in PTPR.
To conclude, we describe an additional case of PTPR with an interesting keratin expression
patterns (both membranous and dot-like Golgi zone positivity) and a highlight on ultrastructural
features. Unfortunately, this patient succumbs postoperatively during hospital course
without receiving any chemo- or radiotherapy.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms.
In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their
images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients
understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will
be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
