SERVICES
Paediatric Brain and Spinal Conditions
BRAIN
SPINAL CORD
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
What brain and spine conditions are children susceptible to?
Children are prone to a range of neurosurgical conditions, which includes hydrocephalus, the formation of brain tumours, inborn spinal abnormalities, seizures and trauma to the face and head. Dr Madumo specialises in paediatric care and provides insight and support to his patients and their parents.
By providing clinical excellence in diagnosing and treating spine conditions in children, Dr Madumo covers the following:
- Chiari Malformations (type I, II, III & IV) are spinal disorders that cause the inside of the brain to cascade onto the spine. At first, children may not show signs of Chiari malformation until they reach adulthood. Chiari malformation type 1 causes voice hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, trouble with balance and reflexes, and scoliosis. Also, a fluid sac (syrinx) may form inside the stem of the brain or spinal cord, causing leg and arm pain and problems with movement. Type II occurs when a portion of the cerebellum and brain stem move beneath the skull, which leads to the build-up of cerebrospinal fluid, increasing brain pressure. Chiari malformation type III presents greater complications and can be fatal because not only the cerebellum and brain stem but other contents can seep out through the skull. In some instances, the brain and its covering may also protrude from the neck or back of the head. Type III creates issues with a child’s nervous system and causes muscle tiredness, problems with thinking and seizures. Chiari malformation type IV is a severe medical condition that occurs when the brain fails to form fully. Babies with Chiari malformation type IV don’t live long.
- Syringomyelia occurs when a cyst full of liquid (syrinx) forms inside a child's spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, pain and stiffness. Primarily, in most cases, syringomyelia is a result of Chiari malformation.
- Myelomeningocele is a subtype of spina bifida, an inborn abnormality that causes the spinal cord and contents to develop externally from the outside within a tiny sac. As a result, babies cannot feel anything below this area and become weak.
- Scoliosis is when the spine curves into an abnormal shape. At a sideways glance, the child’s spine appears to be in the shape of a “C”. scoliosis may degenerate even further as a child develops and transitions into an adolescent. Corrective surgery is often required to correct severe scoliosis.
- Malformation of the spinal cord in two sections (split cord malformation) occurs when cartilage or bone divides the spinal cord into two parts, causing severe damage to the cord.
- Spina bifida is a congenital abnormality that occurs when the spinal cord and vertebrae do not form completely. When this happens, a noticeable space forms at a point along the spine.
Children can suffer from the following brain (neurological) conditions:
- Hydrocephalus is the pooling of cerebrospinal fluid in the deep cavities (ventricles) of the brain. Generally, cerebrospinal fluid is a vital liquid that cleanses the passages of the brain and rids the body of waste but can also increase brain pressure and compromise growth and development.
- Brain tumours are unusual growths inside a child's sensitive brain tissue causing frequent headaches, nausea and poor eyesight.
- Epilepsy is a neurological activity disorder that affects brain function and causes seizures and strange behaviour or unusual sensations.
Can seizures cause death in babies?
Babies cannot die from epilepsy, nor can they from seizures. The occurrence of death is rare. The risk of death in children with epilepsy is very low.
How do you treat a baby with hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus surgery aims to reduce brain pressure by pumping out the cerebrospinal fluid. Dr Madumo surgically inserts a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to drain fluid from your baby’s brain.
What is corrective surgery for spina bifida?
Correcting spina bifida can happen while the baby is still in the womb. This is a delicate procedure whereby surgeons expose the inside of the uterus and seal the gap present in the baby’s back.
What brain and spine conditions are children susceptible to?
Children are prone to a range of neurosurgical conditions, which includes hydrocephalus, the formation of brain tumours, inborn spinal abnormalities, seizures and trauma to the face and head. Dr Madumo specialises in paediatric care and provides insight and support to his patients and their parents.
By providing clinical excellence in diagnosing and treating spine conditions in children, Dr Madumo covers the following:
- Chiari Malformations (type I, II, III & IV) are spinal disorders that cause the inside of the brain to cascade onto the spine. At first, children may not show signs of Chiari malformation until they reach adulthood. Chiari malformation type 1 causes voice hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, trouble with balance and reflexes, and scoliosis. Also, a fluid sac (syrinx) may form inside the stem of the brain or spinal cord, causing leg and arm pain and problems with movement. Type II occurs when a portion of the cerebellum and brain stem move beneath the skull, which leads to the build-up of cerebrospinal fluid, increasing brain pressure. Chiari malformation type III presents greater complications and can be fatal because not only the cerebellum and brain stem but other contents can seep out through the skull. In some instances, the brain and its covering may also protrude from the neck or back of the head. Type III creates issues with a child’s nervous system and causes muscle tiredness, problems with thinking and seizures. Chiari malformation type IV is a severe medical condition that occurs when the brain fails to form fully. Babies with Chiari malformation type IV don’t live long.
- Syringomyelia occurs when a cyst full of liquid (syrinx) forms inside a child's spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, pain and stiffness. Primarily, in most cases, syringomyelia is a result of Chiari malformation.
- Myelomeningocele is a subtype of spina bifida, an inborn abnormality that causes the spinal cord and contents to develop externally from the outside within a tiny sac. As a result, babies cannot feel anything below this area and become weak.
- Scoliosis is when the spine curves into an abnormal shape. At a sideways glance, the child’s spine appears to be in the shape of a “C”. scoliosis may degenerate even further as a child develops and transitions into an adolescent. Corrective surgery is often required to correct severe scoliosis.
- Malformation of the spinal cord in two sections (split cord malformation) occurs when cartilage or bone divides the spinal cord into two parts, causing severe damage to the cord.
- Spina bifida is a congenital abnormality that occurs when the spinal cord and vertebrae do not form completely. When this happens, a noticeable space forms at a point along the spine.
Children can suffer from the following brain (neurological) conditions:
- Hydrocephalus is the pooling of cerebrospinal fluid in the deep cavities (ventricles) of the brain. Generally, cerebrospinal fluid is a vital liquid that cleanses the passages of the brain and rids the body of waste but can also increase brain pressure and compromise growth and development.
- Brain tumours are unusual growths inside a child's sensitive brain tissue causing frequent headaches, nausea and poor eyesight.
- Epilepsy is a neurological activity disorder that affects brain function and causes seizures and strange behaviour or unusual sensations.
Can seizures cause death in babies?
Babies cannot die from epilepsy, nor can they from seizures. The occurrence of death is rare. The risk of death in children with epilepsy is very low.
How do you treat a baby with hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus surgery aims to reduce brain pressure by pumping out the cerebrospinal fluid. Dr Madumo surgically inserts a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to drain fluid from your baby’s brain.
What is corrective surgery for spina bifida?
Correcting spina bifida can happen while the baby is still in the womb. This is a delicate procedure whereby surgeons expose the inside of the uterus and seal the gap present in the baby’s back.