Mutism, oropharyngeal apraxia and dysarthria after posterior fossa tumour excision

Mutism and oropharyngeal apraxia are unusual complications of surgery on the cerebellum. They usually occur in children undergoing surgery for midline cerebellar tumours. Adults are rarely affected. The pathophysiology of the syndrome, which is reversible, is uncertain with possible involvement of vermian and paravermian structures. Two patients--one child and one adult--who developed mutism after cerebellar surgery are presented.