Assessment of Pineal Gland Volume and Calcification in Healthy Subjects: Is it Related to Aging?

PURPOSE: The human pineal gland is a small neuroendocrine organ which produces melatonin. The main goal of this study was to provide a reference range for pineal volume in all age groups and to determine calcified and noncalcified tissue and their proportions, which may be a reflection of melatonin production in all age groups, by using very thin computerized tomography (CT) slices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 167 outpatients had undergone cranial CT. Each of the subject’s total pineal volume (TPV), calcified pineal volume (CPV) and noncalcified pineal volume (NPV) according to age groups were calculated in cubic millimeters. Also, proportion of calcification (POC) was noted. RESULTS: The median values were 88.5 mm(3) (12.3 mm(3)–411mm(3)) for TPV, 74.3 mm(3) (12.3 mm(3)–298 mm(3)) for NPV, and 3.9 mm(3) (0 mm(3)–141 mm(3)) for CPV. POC showed a gradual increase from 0–49 years. In the ≥70 group, when compared with the 60–69 age group, CPV and POC values were significantly lower (P: 0.036, P: 0.034, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study brings a radiological point of view to the distribution of pineal calcification according to age that has a link with melatonin secretion.