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Authors:

Larry J. Petterborg, PhD

Priscilla Hebert, PT, MS

Lynn Palmer, PT, MS

School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Dallas TX

Posterior Fossa Syndrome

Initial Exam


During Katie's initial examination, the following results were found:

  • HEENT, neck, chest, and abdomen unremarkable
  • Heart assessment showed a mild sinus arrhythmia with HR 90-110
  • Initial manual muscle testing grossly tested at 4-5/5 bilaterally
  • Deep tendon reflexes were 1-2+ (hyporeactive-normal) bilaterally
  • Negative Babinski and ankle clonus
  • Pupils 5 mm, briskly reactive to direct light
  • Conjugate gaze and full extraocular movement noted, no nystagmus
  • Face is symmetric, palate raised, tongue unremarkable
  • Voluntary movement of all extremities noted
  • Exhibited mild to moderate dysmetria (over or underestimates the ROM needed to place limbs correctly during a voluntary movement) & dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform rapidly alternating movements) in left arm & leg

Blood Testing

Patient's results compared to normal values

Katie's results Normal values
Hematocrit 40.4 30 - 49%
Platelet 271,000 150,000 - 400,000 cells/mm 3
WBC 9100 4500 - 14,500 cells/mm 3
Sodium 142 135 - 145 mEq/L
Potassium 3.6 3.5 - 5.5 mEq/L
Chloride 104 98 - 105 mEq/L
CO 2 27 23 - 29
Glucose 83 60 - 100 mg/dL
BUN 9 5 - 18 mg/dL
Creatinine 0.5 0.3 - 0.7 mg/dL
Calcium 10.0 9 - 11.5 mg/dL
Prothrombin Normal 12 - 15 seconds

A plain CT was performed on the day of admission and showed a tumor in the posterior fossa of the brain, with obstructive hydrocephalus.

Presumed diagnosis: obstructive hydrocephalus with posterior fossa astrocytoma. Surgery was planned to be performed in two days.


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Last Update: June 17 2008