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What Is Posterior Fossa Syndrome?

April S. Kenyon
April S. Kenyon

Posterior fossa syndrome is a collection of symptoms that can occur following surgical excision of a mass in the brain stem region. The symptoms generally occur as soon as 24 hours following surgery and can take as long as five days to appear. They can range from mild to rather severe, and include aphasia, mutism, difficulty swallowing, mobility problems, and eye movement issues. Typically, tumors are more likely to occur in the posterior fossa region of the brain in children.

The posterior fossa region contains the brainstem, which is responsible for controlling breathing, regulating heart rate, dilating and constricting blood vessels, and giving a person the ability to stand for a period of time, as well as walk. Fine muscle movements and the ability to maintain attention to a situation are also vital functions of the brainstem. In a child diagnosed with posterior fossa syndrome, one or more areas of the brainstem have been affected.

Posterior fossa syndrome tends to occur following surgery to remove a mass from the brain stem.
Posterior fossa syndrome tends to occur following surgery to remove a mass from the brain stem.

A child with this condition will present with symptoms of aphasia, or difficulty forming words and then vocalizing them. Children can also experience mutism, which is the inability or unwillingness to speak. Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, can be life threatening and needs to be addressed immediately. Some children may experience difficulty moving one side of their bodies or have a marked decrease in mobility. In addition, cranial nerve palsies can cause strange eye movements and fixed gazes that are not appropriate.

A family will need to learn how to deal with the physical and mental changes that a child with this syndrome is going through. With early recognition of this syndrome, children can begin intensive therapy and decrease the length of hospital stays.

Posterior fossa syndrome typically occurs in children, but early detection of the condition and ensuing treatment may help reduce the need for lengthy hospital stays.
Posterior fossa syndrome typically occurs in children, but early detection of the condition and ensuing treatment may help reduce the need for lengthy hospital stays.

An article published in November 2004 in The Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences focused on the behavioral aspects caused by posterior fossa syndrome. It was found that this is a rather rare condition, affecting only 0.08% of children who have undergone surgery to the posterior fossa region. Affected children were found to suffer from mental status changes, such as being withdrawn and apathetic to having full-fledged tantrums.

Posterior fossa syndrome can occur after surgical excision of a mass in the brain stem.
Posterior fossa syndrome can occur after surgical excision of a mass in the brain stem.

There are no identifiable risk factors for developing this syndrome. The type of tumor a child has, the exact location, and the child’s age are not considered to be factors in determining a child who is at risk. Surgical excision of a tumor in the posterior fossa region seems to be the only commonality.

Discussion Comments

SteamLouis

My neighbor's daughter has posterior fossa syndrome. She can't speak and has issues with her eyesight. One of her eyelids droops down.

Her mother says that she understands everything but just doesn't speak. She doesn't have too much trouble with her movements although she can't draw or write like kids her age.

She is going to therapy though and I think it has been helping her.

burcinc

@feruze-- I think it's rare. The syndrome itself is rare, but it's more common in children than adults.

In adults, it can happen after brain surgery, particularly after the removal of a tumor. But the symptoms and effects are the same in both children and adults.

While children might have these symptoms from the onset, an adult can develop them immediately after surgery.

bear78

How common is posterior fossa syndrome in adults?

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    • Posterior fossa syndrome tends to occur following surgery to remove a mass from the brain stem.
      By: Alex Yeung
      Posterior fossa syndrome tends to occur following surgery to remove a mass from the brain stem.
    • Posterior fossa syndrome typically occurs in children, but early detection of the condition and ensuing treatment may help reduce the need for lengthy hospital stays.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Posterior fossa syndrome typically occurs in children, but early detection of the condition and ensuing treatment may help reduce the need for lengthy hospital stays.
    • Posterior fossa syndrome can occur after surgical excision of a mass in the brain stem.
      By: 7activestudio
      Posterior fossa syndrome can occur after surgical excision of a mass in the brain stem.
    • Symptoms of posterior fossa syndrome may include difficulty swallowing.
      By: slasnyi
      Symptoms of posterior fossa syndrome may include difficulty swallowing.
    • Someone who has posterior fossa syndrome may require physical therapy to learn to walk properly.
      By: Monkey Business
      Someone who has posterior fossa syndrome may require physical therapy to learn to walk properly.