Description of posterior fossa syndrome in children after posterior fossa brain tumor surgery

Brain tumors are the second most common malignancy in children less than 15 years of age and the most common solid tumor of childhood. Approximately 60% to 70% of pediatric brain tumors originate in the posterior fossa. Since 1989, the two hospitals that comprise the setting for this study have treated 121 children with posterior fossa brain tumors. A postoperative syndrome, labeled posterior fossa syndrome, has been identified in certain children. This syndrome involves a variety of signs and symptoms including mutism or speech disturbances, dysphagia, decreased motor movement, cranial nerve palsies and, emotional lability. These signs and symptoms develop from an average range of 24 to 107 hours after surgery and may take weeks to months to resolve. The exact etiology of the syndrome is unknown. The purpose of this retrospective medical records review of 19 children diagnosed with posterior fossa syndrome is to describe the symptoms of the syndrome. Early recognition of this syndrome could facilitate preventive and restorative patient care, prevent subsequent complications, decrease length of hospital stays, and promote patient and family understanding of and coping with the syndrome.