Dysarthria in children with cerebellar or brainstem tumors.
Speech features were perceptually analyzed in two groups of children. The first group (n = 6) had undergone cerebellar tumor resection, and the second group (n = 6) included children with brainstem tumors. Children belonging to the first group became dysarthric after a postoperative mute phase. Slow speech rate was a specific feature, but scanning speech and irregular articulatory breakdown (i.e., prominent characteristics in adult ataxic dysarthria) were not observed. In the second group, hypernasality was a prominent characteristic and resembled flaccid dysarthria in adults. These findings suggest that acquired childhood dysarthria needs a proper classification.
van Mourik
M
M
Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospital/Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Catsman-Berrevoets
C E
CE
Yousef-Bak
E
E
Paquier
P F
PF
van Dongen
H R
HR
D000293:Adolescent; D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013997:Time Factors; D014833:Voice Quality