Pediatric Neurosurgery
Patient Appointments: |
Pediatric neurosurgery at WVU Children’s Hospital provides state-of-the-art care for infants, children, and adolescents with problems of the brain and spine. As a major pediatric healthcare center, we offer the latest techniques, therapies, and clinical trials.
Conditions we treat include:
- pediatric brain tumors
- spinal tumors
- hydrocephalus
- craniosynostosis
- epilepsy
- spasticity of spinal or brain origin
- congenital defects of the brain, skull, or spine
- pediatric spinal column instability
Children in need of neurosurgery are treated by a team of multidisciplinary specialists, including a pediatric neurosurgeon with advanced subspecialty training, with access to the latest technology.
The hallmarks of the WVU Pediatric Neurosurgery Program are:
- a strong commitment to achieving the best possible outcome and excellent cosmetic results with the least possible physical and emotional trauma to the child and family
- the use of minimally invasive techniques whenever possible
- continuity of care throughout the child's growing years
- family participation and support throughout the process
- state-of-the-art technology
Physicians
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Beth Baldwin, MSN, RN Specialty Special Interest |
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John J. Collins, MD Specialties Special Interests |
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Advanced Treatment
WVU’s pediatric neurosurgical services include:
- microsurgery of the brain and spine
- cranial base neurosurgical techniques
- craniofacial reconstructive surgeries
- intraventricular endoscopic surgeries
- placement of shunts for hydrocephalus
- surgeries for Chiari malformations
- surgeries for neurological complications of spina bifida
- surgeries for spasticity
- surgeries for epilepsy
- radiosurgeries
- surgeries for brain and spine trauma
Sophisticated diagnostic technologies include the 3-Tesla MRI with full functional and spectroscopic capability, helical computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), digital holography, and Video EEG monitored pediatric beds.
Treatments range from sophisticated image-guided cranial and spinal microsurgery techniques, to skull base neurosurgery, microsurgical laser instrumentation for intraspinal operations, endoscopic surgery for Intraventricular pathology, and the entire spectrum of shunt technology for hydrocephalus.
We serve all of West Virginia and the surrounding region with critical-care air and ground transportation specially adapted for pediatric patients. Our outreach also extends overseas through our international cranial base neurosurgery program.
Coordinated Care
The Pediatric Neurosurgery Program integrates with the following other pediatric subspecialties to form a cooperative network of clinical teams that make up the WVU Pediatric Neuroscience Center:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pediatric Neuropsychology
- Pediatric Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology
- Pediatric Intensive Care Service
- Neonatal Intensive Care Service
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pediatric Urologic Surgery
- Pediatric General Surgery
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Craniofacial Plastic Surgery
The WVU Pediatric Neuroscience Center includes the following multidisciplinary teams:
- Spina Bifida Clinic
- Pediatric Spasticity and Motor Disorders Clinic
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Team
- Pediatric Trauma Team
- Pediatric Epilepsy Team
- Pediatric Craniofacial Team
Please contact us to inquire about infants, children, or adolescents with any neurological problem that can be addressed surgically.