Why does posterior fossa syndrome occur?

Posterior fossa syndrome, or cerebellar mutism , is a condition that sometimes develops after surgery to remove a brain tumor in the posterior fossa region of the brain. The posterior fossa is a space near the base of the skull that contains the cerebellum and brain stem.

How long does cerebellar mutism syndrome last?

Acute affective/behavioral symptoms last up to 2 months, and tend to resolve before the mutism does. There is a significant correlation between age and duration of acute symptoms; the older the child, the longer the duration [18, 9].

Is posterior fossa syndrome permanent?

CMS is a common but devastating complication of posterior fossa surgery in children. While the mutism itself is often transient, permanent sequelae are common. The precise pathophysiology of this disease remains unknown, and treatment focuses on supportive care symptoms.

What is the most common posterior fossa tumor?

In adults, the most common expansile “mass” lesion in the posterior fossa is a subacute stroke, whereas the most common neoplastic lesion in the posterior fossa is cerebellar metastasis (intra-axial) or vestibular schwannoma (extra-axial).

Can you recover from posterior fossa syndrome?

Most symptoms improve in weeks or months while some symptoms may continue for years following surgery. People who have more severe posterior fossa syndrome symptoms early in recovery are more likely to have symptoms that last longer.

What is the posterior fossa responsible for?

Posterior fossa meningiomas are tumors that form near the bottom of the skull, by the brainstem and cerebellum. This small area controls movement, coordination, and vital body functions such as breathing.

Is cerebellar mutism permanent?

The mutism is transient and usually lasts between a few weeks to six months 1,3. The recovery phase might last two years and some patients may have permanent impairments of speech and language (dysarthria, dysfluency or slowed speech rate) or other cognitive abnormalities 1-3.

What is akinetic mutism?

Akinetic mutism refers to a syndrome of variable severity caused by lesions of both medial frontal lobes causing decreased motivation, sometimes to a degree mimicking catatonia, with complete failure to initiate activity or to respond, even to painful stimuli (Video 88, Catatonia).

What is the most common posterior fossa tumor in children?

The most common posterior fossa tumors in children are medulloblastoma, astrocytoma and ependymoma. Atypical rhabdoid teratoid tumors and brain stem gliomas are relatively rare.

Is posterior fossa tumor curable?

Most tumors of the posterior fossa are removed with surgery, even if they are not cancerous. There is limited space in the posterior fossa, and the tumor can easily press on delicate structures if it grows. Depending on the type and size of the tumor, radiation treatment may also be used after surgery.

What are symptoms of posterior fossa?

Symptoms occur very early with posterior fossa tumors and may include:

• Drowsiness.
• Headache.
• Imbalance.
• Nausea.
• Uncoordinated walk (ataxia)
• Vomiting.

What causes cerebellar mutism?

Cerebellar mutism most commonly, but not exclusively, develops in children after surgery for midline cerebellar or intraventricular tumors in the posterior fossa, typically medulloblastoma.

What are the symptoms of posterior fossa syndrome?

Posterior fossa syndrome (PFS), or cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS), is a collection of neurological symptoms that occur following surgical resection of a posterior fossa tumour, and is characterised by either a reduction or an absence of speech.

How many children have post-operative cerebellar mutism syndrome?

In 2016, an international consensus formulated a new definition of “post-operative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome” (pCMS) as the preferred term for this condition 2,4. Post-operative cerebellar mutism syndrome ranges from 7%-50% of children after posterior fossa surgery 1 .

Is there a brain tumor in the posterior fossa?

What is Posterior Fossa Syndrome? Posterior fossa syndrome, or cerebellar mutism, is a condition that sometimes develops after surgery to remove a brain tumor in the posterior fossa region of the brain. The posterior fossa is a space near the base of the skull that contains the cerebellum and brain stem.

Who are the posterior fossa society and what do they do?

The Posterior Fossa Society is an international group of researchers and health care professionals (doctors, nurses, psychologists, speech pathologists, linguists, neuroscientists etc.) who are dedicated to research into the causes, features, treatment and prevention of the post-operative pediatric CMS and CCAS in children and adults.