title: Dysarthria and dysphagia as long-term sequelae in a child treated for posterior fossa tumour.
abstract: The current case report provides a comprehensive description of the persistent dysarthria and dysphagia evident in a 7.5 year old child treated for recurrent posterior fossa tumour (PFT). AC was assessed on a comprehensive perceptual and instrumental test battery incorporating all components of the speech production system (respiration, phonation, resonance, articulation and prosody) 2 years and 4 months following completion of her treatment. The nature of her swallowing impairment was investigated through the use of videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing (VFS). A mild dysarthria with ataxic and LMN components was identified, although overall speech intelligibility was not affected. A moderate dysphagia was also identified with impairment in all three phases of the swallowing process; oral preparatory, oral and pharyngeal. Dysarthria and dysphagia as persistent sequelae in children treated for PFT have implications for the long-term management of these children. The need for appropriate treatment regimes, as well as pre-surgical counselling regarding dysarthria and dysphagia as possible outcomes following surgery are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Motor Speech Research Unit, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. p.cornwell@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Petrea L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Cornwell
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000209:etiology*; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015192:Infratentorial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D010211:Papilledema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications