Pediatric Neurosurgery
Conditions We Treat
Brain Tumor
A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of cells in the brain that either begins in the brain (primary brain tumor) or grows from a cancer that begins elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain (metastatic, or secondary brain tumor). Brain tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and depending on the location, possible symptoms include unexplained nausea and vomiting, headaches that get progressively worse, seizures and personality changes.
Go to Detail PageCerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is the result of problems during brain development, at childbirth, or just after birth. The resulting disorder involves poor muscle tone, difficulty moving, stiff muscles and more. Some people with cerebral palsy are unable to walk, have epilepsy, trouble swallowing, are blind, and may have limited intellect.
Go to Detail PageChiari Malformation
A Chiari malformation is when brain tissue extends into the spinal cord. It's caused by the skull being misshapen or too small, which pushes brain tissue downward.
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Epilepsy
Seizures are caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain, although the cause is not always known.
Go to Detail PageHydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a condition commonly referred to as "water on the brain." The term describes a situation where the ventricles (normal fluid-filled spaces deep in the brain) contain too much fluid or in which the fluid is under excessively high pressure.
Go to Detail PagePediatric Movement Disorders
Movement disorders in children can mean that they are moving too much or too little in a way that interferes with the normal flow of movements and postures.
Go to Detail PageScoliosis
Scoliosis is a sideways curve in the spine most often seen as a child gets closer to the teenage years. In a mild case, one shoulder might seem higher than the other or the waist might be tilted. If that's the case, the child will be monitored and treatment may not be needed. Severe cases may have a twist in the spine as well as a curve, which can cause back pain and breathing problems. Scoliosis appears to be hereditary (runs in the family), or caused by diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and infections/injury of the spine.
Go to Detail PageSeizure
A seizure is sudden uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that can cause a variety of physical manifestations, including shaking or stiffening of the arms and legs, changes in awareness, loss of consciousness, or abnormal behaviors. They usually last up to minutes at a time. Seizures that last longer are considered a medical emergency. Seizures are divided into those that are generalized and focal. Generalized seizures involve all areas of the brain when they start, while focal seizures involve only one part of the brain and may later spread to others.
Go to Detail PageSpasticity
The Department of Neurosurgery at Boston Medical Center offers exceptional care in a comfortable, compassionate environment. We diagnose and treat a wide variety of brain and spinal cord conditions in children and adults, and your recovery is our highest priority.
Go to Detail PageSpina Bifida
Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that is usually seen at birth. It happens when the neural tube, which is what forms the brain and spine, doesn't close all the way.
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Spine Tumor
A spinal cord tumor is an abnormal mass of cells that grows either inside the spinal canal or on the bones of the spine. There are many types of spinal tumors, which can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and either can cause permanent disability, pain, and neurological issues.
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