Pineal gland calcification within Saudi Arabian populations

Abstract

Introduction Pineal gland calcification (PGC) is common among Western populations but is rare among African and Far Eastern populations; yet, no studies to date have examined Arabian Gulf populations for PGC. This retrospective study was conducted to determine the incidence of PGC within a Saudi Arabian population, to investigate the associations between PGC and age, and to examine the effects of age on both the degree of pineal calcification and the size of uncalcified pineal tissue. Methods Fifty-four (54) CT brain scans from individuals 2–87 years of age were procured from the Department of Radiology, Security Force Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The scans were performed in both the coronal and sagittal planes. Results Pineal gland calcification was identified in 64.8% of individuals examined (p = 0.047), with a higher incidence in females (p = 0.05); both of these findings were statistically significant. The percentage of PGC was significantly correlated with increased age (r = 0.36; p = 0.04). Pineal gland calcification was also found to increase rapidly after the second decade of life, as 68.6% of individuals 50+ years of age exhibited PGC. No significant correlations were found between age and the degree of pineal calcification or between age and the amount of uncalcified pineal tissue. Discussion Key findings of the present study indicate that high PGC in females was associated with increased age within a Saudi Arabian population. This finding differs from the findings of previous studies and suggests the need for further research in populations of Arabian Gulf nations.