Posterior Fossa Syndrome

Abstract

Posterior fossa syndrome is defined as the temporary and complete loss of speech after posterior fossa surgery which is not related to cerebellar hemorrhage, infection of the cerebellum, degenerative or neoplastic diseases of the cerebellum. In this review, we aimed to outline the incidence of posterior fossa syndrome, to define the risk factors for posterior fossa syndrome, to describe accompanying neurobehavioural and psychologic problems and to speculate about the etiologic mechanisms. The diagnosis of medulloblastoma and midline location of the tumor are important risk factors for the development of posterior fossa syndrome. These findings support the hypothesis that temporary ischemia and edema due to retracted and largely manipulated dentate nuclei and superior cerebellar pedincles may be the cause of mutism. Informing the family and the patient about the posterior fossa syndromemust be a component of the preoperative interview and patients who developed posterior fossa syndrome should be followed for accompanying neurobehavioural and psychologic problems even after mutism improved.