Pediatric Neurosurgery

Our neurosurgeons at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone comprise one of the largest pediatric neurosurgery practices in New York City. Children and their families travel from around the world to be cared for by our experts, who are leaders in the surgical treatment of brain tumors, hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, spine and spinal cord tumors, epilepsy, craniofacial disorders, and other conditions that affect the brain.

Surgery for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Our surgeons, part of NYU Langone’s Brain and Spine Tumor Center, provide advanced care for brain and spinal cord tumors. We have an international reputation for excellence in the surgical treatment of craniopharyngioma, optic pathway tumors, and tumors of the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord.

Our treatments include the use of the latest imaging technology such as intraoperative MRI, which is performed during surgery to provide real-time brain imaging; three-dimensional modeling to create an image of the brain to help in surgical planning; and advanced neural monitoring during surgery to assess brain activity.

Surgery for Congenital Conditions

Our surgeons are recognized experts in the treatment of congenital conditions affecting the brain, including hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, and spina bifida.

For children with hydrocephalus, our neurosurgeons perform shunt surgery as well as endoscopic third ventriculostomy, which is an option for some children who do not require a permanent shunt and drainage tube.

Chiari malformation is treated in a comprehensive fashion, taking into consideration symptoms and associated medical conditions. Our team has extensive experience in the evaluation of children with spina bifida and related conditions, including prenatal consultation.

Surgery for Children with Epilepsy

Our neurosurgeons, part of the Pediatric Epilepsy Program, specialize in a variety of techniques for the surgical treatment of epilepsy, including the following:

• intracranial monitoring, which involves the temporary implantation of electrodes in the brain to pinpoint the source of seizure activity
• robotic-assisted procedures that allow for smaller incisions and advanced surgical precision
• vagal nerve stimulation and responsive neural stimulation (RNS®), in which signals are sent to the brain that can stop seizure activity

We are one of the few programs in the country offering RNS® therapy for children with epilepsy. Neurosurgeons place the RNS^® System, a small monitoring device, on the area of the brain where seizures are likely to occur. The device monitors the brain for seizure activity and delivers short bursts of stimulation when seizure activity is detected.

Comprehensive Pediatric Neurosurgical Care

Our pediatric neurosurgeons, working with our pediatric plastic surgeons, have treated more than 1,000 children who have craniofacial disorders such as craniosynostosis, a condition that causes the bones in a baby’s skull to fuse together before the brain has completed development.

In addition, we coordinate with specialists throughout Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, including pediatric oncologists, plastic surgeons, neurologists, and otolaryngologists, to provide care for cerebrovascular disorders, including arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations.

Your Child’s Neurosurgery Appointment

From the first doctor’s visit, we strive to make sure you and your child feel comfortable and supported. Your child is invited to play in our child-friendly playroom. Our staff has already talked to you by phone and requested all necessary tests and paperwork, so your doctor knows who your child is, why you are here, and what you need. Our doctors anticipate your questions and provide the information you need to make sound decisions about your child’s care.

We also have a dedicated social worker to help you coordinate care after surgery, including arranging transportation and helping your child keep up with schoolwork. Because we are part of NYU Langone, from the day your child becomes our patient, he or she can stay our patient through adulthood.