Pediatric neurosurgery

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Pediatric Neurosurgery

Pediatric neurosurgery (pronunciation: pē-dē-ˈa-trik n(y)u̇r-ō-ˈsər-jē) is a subspecialty of neurosurgery that focuses on the surgical treatment of neurological conditions in children and adolescents.

Etymology

The term "pediatric neurosurgery" is derived from three words: "pediatric," which comes from the Greek words pais (child) and iatros (doctor); "neuro," from the Greek neuron (nerve); and "surgery," from the Greek cheirourgia (hand work).

Overview

Pediatric neurosurgeons diagnose and treat a variety of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nervous system, and skull in children. These conditions may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life. Pediatric neurosurgeons often work in multidisciplinary teams with other specialists such as neurologists, radiologists, and oncologists to provide comprehensive care.

Conditions Treated

Some of the conditions treated by pediatric neurosurgeons include:

  • Hydrocephalus: A condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, leading to increased pressure inside the skull.
  • Brain tumors: Abnormal growths in the brain that can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
  • Spina bifida: A birth defect where the spine and spinal cord do not form properly.
  • Epilepsy: A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
  • Craniosynostosis: A birth defect in which one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones of a baby's skull (cranial sutures) close prematurely.

Related Terms

  • Neurology: The branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system.
  • Pediatrics: The branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.
  • Neurosurgery: The surgical specialty involved in the treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

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