Adult onset of the Dandy-Walker syndrome

Two patients with the Dandy-Walker malformation first developed neurologic symptoms in adult life. In both patients there was normal motor and intellectual development during childhood, but as adults they had gradual evolution of brain stem and cerebellar signs and obstructive hydrocephalus. Following resection of the fourth ventricular cyst, both patients recovered. A review of the literature disclosed seven additional patients in whom the Dandy-Walker syndrome was first diagnosed in adult life. These cases illustrate that this congenital brain malformation may not only first become symptomatic later in life, but that it is possible for patients to remain asymptomatic.