Pediatric Neurosurgery Treatment for a Spine Tumor

Pediatric neurosurgery is a field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of brain and spine-related diseases in babies, children, and adolescents. In the case of a spinal tumor, a pediatric neurosurgeon is the best resource to utilize as they are specially trained to deal with this condition in young patients.

As far as treatment goes for the spinal tumor, it is important to understand that the pediatric neurosurgeon will determine what to expect based on the type of tumor. There are many different kinds of spinal tumors, including meningiomas, Ewing's sarcoma, and neurofibromas. Continue reading to find out more about what may be involved in the treatment process.

An overview of pediatric neurosurgery for spine tumors

Below is an overview of pediatric neurosurgery treatment for a spine tumor. This information should be reviewed by parents who are trying to prepare both themselves and their children for treatment.

Diagnosing a pediatric spine tumor

In order to diagnose a spinal tumor, a pediatric neurosurgeon will generally need to take a number of steps. To start, a series of tests will be run, including a physical examination, an MRI, a CT or CAT scan, spinal taps, and biopsies. Of course, with pediatric patients, extra patience will be required. There may be more steps involved because of the age of the patient. Parents should be prepared to attend a number of appointments.

What to expect during treatment

The treatment process for spinal tumors will likely include a number of things. The main goal of pediatric neurosurgery for spinal tumors is to simply remove the tumor from the spine. Afterward, radiation may be required to get rid of any remnants that were left behind.

If the spinal tumor is not causing any symptoms or signs, observation may likely be recommended. However, it is more likely that the patient will experience symptoms, which is what caused the diagnosis to begin with. In this case, pediatric neurosurgery is likely to be needed. The two most common ways that a pediatric neurosurgeon successfully removes a spinal tumor is via neuroendoscopy or image-guided surgery, which relies on special computers.

Other things to know

It can be frightening for parents and children to have to prepare for pediatric neurosurgery, however, it is important to understand that treatment cannot be ignored when it comes to spinal tumors. Pediatric neurosurgeons undergo extensive training to learn how to carefully and precisely remove tumors that may be negatively impacting one's spine.

The entire treatment process can be lengthy and energy-consuming, which is why it is so necessary to prepare properly.

Talk to a pediatric neurosurgeon about treatment

Parents that have recently had a child diagnosed with a spinal tumor will want to begin pediatric neurosurgery treatment right away. In order to do this, it is recommended to start consultations with the neurosurgeon. During this appointment, any unanswered questions or concerns can be appropriately addressed. Additionally, the treatment process can be outlined so that parents have a full understanding of what to expect.

To find out more about pediatric neurosurgery or what is involved in the treatment process, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Get more information here: https://www.drloudonpediatricneurosurgery.com or call Dr. William G. Loudon, Pediatric Neurosurgery at (714) 677-9463

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