posterior fossa syndrome

Etiology

• surgical resection of posterior fossa neoplasm
• medulloblastoma
• astrocytoma
• ependymoma

Pathology

• deficits may correlate with edema within the brachium pontis

Clinical manifestations

• transient mutism
  • mutism developed 1 to 4 days postoperatively
  • symptoms generally resolve in several weeks to months
• associated neurobehavioral changes
  • personality changes
  • emotional lability
  • decreased initiation of voluntary movements
  • poor oral intake
  • urinary retention

More general terms

• syndrome
• disease/disorder primarily affecting brain
• postoperative complication