Advanced pediatric neurosurgical care is available at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview. As a major research center, we offer the latest techniques, therapies and clinical trials.

We work closely with neonatologists, pediatricians and pediatric critical care providers to provide comprehensive, compassionate care. Together, we offer new hope to many children and their families.

Families can feel confident in our neurosurgical expertise. Physicians from throughout the world contact us for their patients’ consultations. We have also trained many prominent neurosurgery specialists around the country.

Does My Child Need a Neurosurgeon or a Neurologist?

A neurosurgeon performs surgeries of the brain, skull, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. A neurologist provides diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of nervous system diseases.

Conditions We Treat

We treat the full range of childhood neurosurgical disorders, including:

• Skull/Brain Abnormalities
  -Brain Tumors
  -Hydrocephalus
       -Caused by intraventricular hemorrhage of newborn
       -Overview
       -Resource list
  -Craniosynostosis
• Spinal Disorders
  -Spina Bifida
  -Chiari Malformations
  -Syringomelia
• Skull Injuries
  -Overview: Head injury-brief version
  -Overview: Head injury-complete version
  -Head injury-prevention
  -Head injury-resource list
•  Brain Injuries
  -Hematomas
  -Overview: Head injury-brief version
  -Overview: Head injury-complete version
  -Head injury-prevention
  -Head injury-resource list
• Spinal Injuries
• Movement Disorders
  -Spacisticy in Cerebral Palsy
  -Dystonia
• Arachnoid Cysts
• Craniofacial Disorders
  (through the DENTAL multi-specialty program)
  -Cleft lip, cleft palate
• Adults with Pediatric Neurosurgical Disorders

Treatments We Offer

• Brain, Spinal Cord, and other Neurological Surgery
• Radiosurgery (minimally invasive techniques effective for some tumors and other disorders)
  -Gamma Knife®
  -Fractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery
  -Tomotherapy
• Experimental Brain Tumor Therapies
• Deep Brain Stimulation

Research Activities

Studies on the following topics are currently underway.

• Targeted-toxin therapy
• Blood-brain barrier disruption therapy

Providers

Our physicians are dedicated to expert and compassionate care, research that improves the health of all children, and education of the next generation of pediatricians.

Department Achievements

• First Multi-Specialty Brain Tumor Program for Children
• First Dorsal Rhisotomy Program in Minnesota
• Numerous Firsts in Seizure Control Surgery
• National Awards for Brain Tumor Research

For Medical Professionals

More information is available at: University of Minnesota Medical School