Neurosurgery
What Is Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is the surgical treatment of diseases and disorders of the brain and spinal cord. Gillette Children’s is a regional leader in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.
Conditions Neurosurgery Treats
Neurosurgery treats complex neurological conditions affecting the spinal cord, neck, nerves, and/or brain that began in childhood. At Gillette, we also provide neurosurgical care to treat the secondary effects of such complex conditions.
Some of the conditions we treat most often include:
- Cerebral palsy.
- Deformational plagiocephaly.
- Epilepsy and seizures.
- Brain injury and related neurotrauma.
- Hydrocephalus.
- Craniosynostosis.
- Spina bifida.
- Arachnoid cysts.
- Arteriovenous malformations and other cerebral vascular conditions.
- Birth brachial plexus injury.
- Chiari malformation.
- Complex movement disorders.
- Dandy-Walker syndrome.
- Macrocephaly.
- Moyamoya syndrome.
- Spasticity.
- Spinal cord abnormalities, including tethered spinal cord.
- Spinal cord injury and related neurotrauma.
Tests and Treatments
Your child or family member will benefit from the latest technology and techniques in neurosurgery at Gillette. Some of our neurosurgery tests and treatments include:
- Cranial vault remodeling for craniosynostosis.
- Deep brain stimulation for complex movement disorders.
- Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus.
- Intraoperative monitoring.
- Intrathecal baclofen pump implantation to manage spasticity.
- Neurodiagnostics, including electroencephalography (EEG), video EEG, electromyography and sleep study (polysomnography).
- Selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery for spasticity.
- Shunt surgery for hydrocephalus.
- Tethered spinal cord release.
- Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy and seizures.
Because many of the conditions we treat are diagnosed during pregnancy, our neurosurgeons also offer prenatal consultations and diagnosis. We meet with you and teach about conditions such as hydrocephalus, spina bifida, neural tube defects and cysts. We also provide education on treatment options and, if appropriate, help plan a course of treatment.
Integrated Care
If your child needs treatment for a complex neurological condition, they will benefit from the expertise of internationally recognized pediatric neurosurgeons at Gillette. Along with our pediatric nurse practitioners, these specialists deliver full-service care in a family-centered environment.
Your child’s health, comfort and confidence are our top priorities. At Gillette, you’ll work closely with top pediatric neurosurgeons that specialize in highly complex conditions and injuries. Together, these teams of experts will help your child feel their best.
Get a Second Opinion
Getting a second opinion is particularly helpful with a complex or unclear diagnosis or treatment that is no longer working. Often having another expert’s opinion can help you feel more knowledgeable and confident when taking the next steps to care for your child.
Locations
Our surgery facility is located on the St. Paul Campus. Our neurosurgeons also conduct outpatient visits at the following locations.
