Pediatric Neurosurgery

Brain Tumors: Pediatric neurosurgeons perform surgeries to remove brain tumors such as astrocytomas, medulloblastomas, ependymomas, and craniopharyngiomas.

Hydrocephalus: This condition involves the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, leading to increased intracranial pressure. Surgical procedures like ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement help to drain excess fluid and relieve pressure.

Spina Bifida: Pediatric neurosurgeons may operate to correct spinal cord and neural tube defects in children with spina bifida.

Chiari Malformation: This condition involves the downward displacement of the cerebellum into the spinal canal. Pediatric neurosurgery can help decompress the area and relieve symptoms.

Epilepsy: Some children with epilepsy may benefit from surgical procedures like hemispherectomy, corpus callosotomy, or focal resections to reduce or eliminate seizures.

Craniosynostosis: Pediatric neurosurgery addresses premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, which can lead to skull deformities and potential brain growth issues.

Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome: Surgical detethering of the spinal cord may be necessary to release the abnormally attached tissues and prevent neurological problems.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation: Neurosurgery can help alleviate symptoms by decompressing the hindbrain and upper spinal cord.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Severe head injuries resulting from accidents or falls may require neurosurgical intervention to remove hematomas or repair damaged tissue.

Neurological Birth Injuries: Neurosurgery may be necessary to address birth-related nerve injuries, such as brachial plexus injuries.

Arachnoid Cysts: Cysts in the brain or spinal cord can be surgically drained or removed to alleviate pressure on surrounding structures.

Vascular Malformations: Pediatric neurosurgeons can treat arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), cavernous malformations, and other vascular abnormalities that affect blood flow in the brain or spinal cord.

Neuroendoscopy:Minimally invasive neuroendoscopic procedures may be used to diagnose and treat certain conditions within the brain or ventricular system.

Intractable Pain Syndromes: Surgical interventions like dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesioning may be considered in some cases to manage severe pain related to neurological conditions.

Neurological Examination: A comprehensive neurological examination is the initial step in assessing a child's nervous system function. The neurosurgeon evaluates the child's reflexes, muscle strength, coordination, sensory responses, and other neurological signs.

Neuroimaging: Various imaging techniques provide detailed views of the brain and spinal cord, aiding in the diagnosis of structural abnormalities. Common neuroimaging modalities include:

Electroencephalography (EEG): EEG records the brain's electrical activity through electrodes placed on the scalp. It helps diagnose and monitor seizure disorders and certain neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.

Evoked Potentials: This test measures the brain's electrical responses to sensory stimuli, such as visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimuli. It can help assess the integrity of specific sensory pathways in the nervous system.

Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): In certain cases, a lumbar puncture may be performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis, aiding in the diagnosis of infections, inflammatory conditions, or certain tumors.

Neuropsychological Testing: Neuropsychological assessments evaluate a child's cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functions to determine how neurological conditions may be affecting their development and quality of life.

Genetic Testing: Genetic testing may be recommended when there is suspicion of an underlying genetic or hereditary neurological disorder.

Angiography: Cerebral angiography involves injecting contrast dye into the blood vessels to visualize the blood supply to the brain. It helps diagnose vascular malformations or tumors.

Myelography: Myelography is a specialized X-ray study that uses contrast dye to assess the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Brain Tumor Surgery: Pediatric neurosurgeons perform surgeries to remove brain tumors, aiming to achieve maximum tumor resection while preserving healthy brain tissue. Techniques may include craniotomy, endoscopic tumor resection, and image-guided surgery.

Hydrocephalus Treatment: Surgical procedures like ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement or endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) are used to manage hydrocephalus by diverting and draining excess cerebrospinal fluid.

Chiari Malformation Decompression: In cases of Chiari malformation, a surgical procedure may be performed to decompress the hindbrain and relieve pressure on the spinal cord.

Epilepsy Surgery: Pediatric neurosurgeons perform various epilepsy surgeries, such as hemispherectomy, corpus callosotomy, and focal resections, to control or reduce seizures in children with medically intractable epilepsy.

Craniosynostosis Correction: Surgical procedures are used to correct premature fusion of cranial sutures, allowing the skull to grow properly and preventing potential brain growth issues.

Tethered Cord Release: Neurosurgery may be required to release the spinal cord if it is abnormally attached to surrounding tissues, preventing neurological problems.

Ventricular Reservoir Placement: A ventricular reservoir, also known as an Ommaya reservoir, may be implanted in the brain to facilitate access for CSF sampling or medication administration in certain conditions.

Endoscopic Neurosurgery: Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques may be used for diagnostic purposes or to treat certain neurological conditions, such as hydrocephalus or intraventricular cysts.

Skull Base Surgery: Pediatric neurosurgeons perform complex skull base surgeries to address conditions affecting the skull base, such as craniopharyngiomas or chordomas.

Neuroendoscopy: Endoscopic procedures allow visualization and treatment of certain brain and spinal cord conditions with smaller incisions, reducing the need for open surgery.

Intracranial Pressure Monitoring:In cases of traumatic brain injury or certain neurological conditions, intracranial pressure monitoring may be performed to measure pressure within the skull and guide treatment.

Spinal Fusion and Correction: Pediatric neurosurgery involves spinal fusion and corrective procedures to address conditions like scoliosis, tethered cord, and other spinal deformities.