If your child needs surgery for a brain, spine or nerve condition, our pediatric neurosurgery team is here to support you and your family.

At Children’s Hospital, our pediatric neurosurgeons provide a range of brain and spine surgeries for infants, children, teens and young adults. We also use specialized techniques to perform fetal surgery on babies before they are born. 

Our team is highly trained to treat complex brain and spine conditions while protecting children’s brain function and development. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive tools like endoscopes (small cameras) to help protect as much healthy brain tissue as possible. Combined with our surgeons’ expertise, this leading-edge technology can help support the best outcomes for your child.

Conditions We Treat

Our skilled pediatric neurosurgeons treat a wide array of conditions affecting the brain, spine and nerves, including:

  • Achondroplasia
  • Aneurysms
  • Arachnoid cysts and other congenital cysts
  • Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
  • Brain tumors
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chiari malformations (brain tissue in the spinal cord)
  • Congenital malformations
  • Congenital spine defects
  • Craniofacial anomalies
  • Craniosynostosis (premature closing of bones of the skull)
  • Dermoid and other scalp/skull cysts
  • Epilepsy
  • Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain)
  • Movement disorders
  • Moyamoya and sickle cell brain conditions
  • Spina bifida
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Spinal cord tumors
  • Syringomyelia/syrinx (fluid-filled cavity or cyst inside the spinal cord)
  • Tethered spinal cord syndrome (TSCS)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain)
  • Vascular (blood vessel) malformations

Should My Child See a Pediatric Neurosurgeon?

If your child has any of above conditions, they may benefit from seeing our team. Your pediatrician, pediatric neurologist or another specialist may refer you to us, or you can reach out to us directly. We also offer second opinions if you would like to better understand your child’s treatment options.

Types of Pediatric Neurosurgery at MU Health Care

Young patients come here from across Missouri and even from out of state for a wide range of neurosurgical procedures.

Fetal Surgery

We collaborate with fetal care team to repair congenital spine defects and other conditions in babies before they are born. Our pediatric neurosurgeons specialize in repairing myelomeningocele. This type of surgery is only available at academic health systems like MU Health Care.

Minimally Invasive Brain and Skull Base Surgery

Our pediatric neurosurgeons can treat many brain tumors using flexible endoscopy, robotics and other minimally invasive techniques. With specially designed lasers, we can also use heat to remove tumors or treat brain regions where seizures develop. Minimally invasive approaches to remove excess brain fluid or drain cysts without implanting shunts are also available.

Kids who have minimally invasive surgery typically have smaller incisions and scars, less pain and a faster recovery.

Cranial Vault Surgery for Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is characterized by the premature closing of skull bones. We work with pediatric plastic surgeons to perform cranial vault surgery, where we separate the closed skull bones and reshape the skull if needed.

Dorsal Rhizotomy for Cerebral Palsy

A dorsal rhizotomy can treat stiff muscles in people with cerebral palsy. During this surgery, a pediatric neurosurgeon cuts a few carefully selected nerves in the spine. After surgery, your child should have improved muscle control.

Our Approach to Pediatric Neurosurgery

We routinely care for kids with brain tumors, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other complex conditions with a family-focused, team-based approach.

Collaborative Care for Your Child

Our surgeons meet regularly with pediatric neurologists, oncologists and other specialists to develop treatment plans for children with brain tumors. We also work closely with pediatric plastic surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons and other specialists to help kids with craniofacial syndromes. No matter your child’s condition, we’ll assemble a team of experts to support you during your child’s treatment journey.

What to Expect on Your First Visit

During your first appointment with a pediatric neurosurgeon, we’ll review your child’s imaging tests together. We may also recommend other tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, that your child may need. 

At Children’s Hospital, we can perform abbreviated MRI scans of your child’s brain. Also known as “fast MRIs,” these tests do not require sedation like traditional MRIs. 

Once we have your child’s test results, we will discuss treatment options. We’ll take time to answer your questions, so you can make an informed decision about your child’s care.

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