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Non-surgical transient cerebellar mutism—case report and systematic review

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Abstract

Introduction

Transient cerebellar mutism has been well recognized in literature as a complication of posterior fossa tumor resection. It is marked by profound impairment of fluency, articulation, and modulation of speech, irritability and autistic features and typically resolves within days to months. Underlying pathophysiology is debated, but currently unknown.

Methods

We present a case of a child with similar clinical findings after cerebellitis, demonstration of diffuse cerebellar signal changes, swelling, and protruding tonsils at the level of foramen magnum.

Discussion

To support the hypothesis that this clinical syndrome may occur in a non-surgical context, we present a review of literature of non-surgical transient cerebellar mutism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada

    Serge Makarenko & Patrick J. McDonald

  2. Division of Neurosurgery, BC Children’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Navneet Singh & Patrick J. McDonald

Authors
  1. Serge Makarenko
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  2. Navneet Singh
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  3. Patrick J. McDonald
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Correspondence to Serge Makarenko.

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Makarenko, S., Singh, N. & McDonald, P.J. Non-surgical transient cerebellar mutism—case report and systematic review. Childs Nerv Syst 34, 535–540 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3643-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3643-3

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