Pediatric Neurosurgery: Timely Intervention Can Save Young Lives
Pediatric Neurosurgery
Dr. Kaushik Sil, Senior Consultant Neurosurgery, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI
Children are not miniature adults and their body physiology is different especially in new born.
The Brain and Spinal Cord are one of the first organs to develop in life and often we encounter various birth abnormalities involving these organs.
SPINA BIFIDA is the most common anomaly, in which a portion of the backbone is absent and a part of the spinal cord comes out through this. The children present with a swelling in the back since birth and have weakness of legs and poor control of urine. Sometimes this swelling gets ruptured during birth. Immediate surgery can repair the back defect, restore leg movements and improve urine control. Timely referral (urgently after birth in ruptured cases and within a month in unruptured cases) is needed for satisfying outcome. Close coordination between obstetrician, paediatrician and neurosurgeon is needed for timely intervention.
HYDROCEPHALUS is another birth defect in which water accumulates in the brain due to an obstruction in cerebrospinal fluid flow. The child develops a large head and refuses to take feed. This excess water causes damage to the growing brain and eyes, so delayed development and difficulty in vision may occur. Occasionally hydrocephalus follows meningitis in the childhood. Treatment as early as possible can reverse the damage of this deadly disease. The surgery can be done using a SHUNT or a new minimally invasive ENDOSCOPIC technique.
HEAD INJURY is very common in children due to their increased mobility. Head injury can result in simple scalp swelling to severe life threatening conditions like depressed fractures, extradural hematoma, intracranial bleeding. Timely management is crucial in saving lives.
Some other conditions requiring pediatric neurosurgical expertise are –
1. Brain tumors in Children
2. Chiari Malformation
3. Arachnoid cyst
4. Atlanto Axial Disclocation
5. CNS Tuberculosis
6. Moya Moya disease
At CMRI, there is expert pediatric neurosurgical OT set up, along with emergency, PICU, NICU back up. An expert team led by Dr. Kaushik Sil, an internationally renowned Pediatric Neurosurgeon, is there to cater your child, reassure the parents and aim for the best possible outcome in these diseases. The referring doctor is kept in the loop during this treatment so that he/she can follow the child subsequently. A dedicated Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic is in the plan to follow these children long term along with other disciplines like Pediatrics, Pediatric Urology, Pediatric Orthopedics .
