Pineal yolk sac tumor: correlation between neuroimaging and pathological findings

a 17-year-old boy presented with somnolence and mental confusion. physical examination demonstrated motor disturbances. laboratorial investigation showed elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. the ct scan revealed a heterogeneous mass at the pineal region. at the mri, this lesion was hypointense on t1 and hyperintense on t2-weighted images, enhancing after contrast administration. the patient underwent a surgical biopsy, which defined the diagnosis of yolk sac tumor. we emphasize the correlation of neuroimaging and pathological findings of this rare pineal region tumor.