Pediatric neurosurgery is a branch of neurosurgical practice focused on treating injuries and developmental disorders of the skull and spine, as well as removing tumors of the brain and spinal cord in children. At the Ichilov clinic in Israel, surgeries are performed for a variety of neurosurgical conditions, such as:
- Congenital disorders of the skull and spine
- Craniofringiomas
- Hydrocephalus
- Removal of neuroepithelial tumors – gliomas
- Craniosynostosis
- Management of febrile seizures
- West syndrome
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
- Moyamoya disease
- Spinal cord hernia in newborns.
Reasons for referral to pediatric neurosurgery
Most often, children are referred when their parents notice the following symptoms:
- Severe and prolonged headaches, often accompanied by vomiting, provided that the latter is not related to food intake
- Child's complaints of noise and pulsation in the head or temples
- Frequent fainting and dizziness
- Significant and disproportionate increase in head size
- Coordination disorders with associated sensory disturbances in various parts of the body
- Formation of swellings or tumors, hematomas on the head or in the child's spinal area
- Back pain that is not related to physical activity
And less pronounced signs that may indicate the early form of a neurological disorder:
- Frequent regurgitation
- Changes in walking style – unsteadiness, lack of confidence in gait
- Deterioration of vision, blurriness, "floaters"
- Slowed growth in the child
- Accelerated puberty
- Obesity.
Diagnostic methods in pediatric neurosurgery in Israel
Initial diagnosis is impossible without taking a medical history. Often, children are either too young to accurately describe their symptoms or may overlook something important for making the correct diagnosis. Parents should carefully monitor the physiological manifestations in their children.
Information is also gathered from mothers about the course of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the child's development from birth until admission to the Ichilov clinic.
The latest MRI, CT, and PET-CT machines. A specially designed intraoperative ultrasound device for pediatric neurosurgery allows for minimal deviations in the child's body. For treating vascular pathologies of the brain – endoscopic instruments that provide optimal visualization of organs and vessels.
Surgical methods in pediatric neurosurgery in Israel
A serious illness, especially in a child, is a great tragedy for parents. Highly qualified doctors at the Ichilov clinic in Israel perform the most gentle surgeries, especially in children.
The most minimally invasive technique is the endoscopic method of treatment. It has a significant advantage in pediatric neurosurgery practice due to small incisions. Thus, complications after surgery are minimized. Importantly, after using such techniques, there is no need to address cosmetic defects.
Thanks to modern equipment and the many years of experience of pediatric neurosurgeons in Israel, it has become possible to perform the most complex surgical interventions on newborns.