Specialized pediatric neurosurgery treatment for your child

When something goes wrong in a child’s brain or spine, the situation can quickly become overwhelming. There is often no warning, no safety net, and certainly no manual to guide the way.  What happens next depends on how quickly the right specialists intervene and how accurately they assess the problem. 

At Biruni Hospital, the approach is straightforward and focused. It is not about embellishing or overexplaining, but about understanding the issue and determining what can be done safely and effectively. While Turkey provides access to advanced care, the success of the treatment relies on precise coordination, structural expertise, and the judgment to avoid intervening unnecessarily.

What does pediatric neurosurgery treat?

Pediatric neurosurgery focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting a child’s brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Because children’s nervous systems are still developing, they require highly specialized care, advanced imaging, and delicate surgical techniques. 

At Biruni Hospital, our pediatric neurosurgeons provide comprehensive treatment using modern technology and a multidisciplinary approach involving neurologists, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists.

 Congenital conditions

Congenital neurosurgical conditions are present at birth and often detected during pregnancy or early childhood. These disorders can affect brain development, skull shape, spinal cord formation, and cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are essential to support healthy neurological development and prevent long-term complications. Our specialists use advanced imaging and minimally invasive approaches for safer outcomes.

Conditions treated:

• Hydrocephalus

• Spina bifida (myelomeningocele)

• Chiari malformation

• Craniosynostosis

• Arachnoid cysts

• Encephalocele

• Dandy–Walker malformation

• Tethered cord syndrome

Brain and spinal tumors

Pediatric brain tumors are among the most common solid tumors in children. They can affect behavior, coordination, vision, hearing, and growth. Treatment typically requires a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and long-term follow-up. Pediatric neurosurgeons at Biruni Hospital use advanced surgical navigation and neuro-monitoring to remove tumors safely while preserving neurological function.

Conditions treated:

• Astrocytomas

• Medulloblastomas

• Ependymomas

• Craniopharyngiomas

• Germ cell tumors

• Brainstem tumors

• Meningiomas

• Spinal cord tumors

Traumatic neurosurgical conditions

Neurosurgical trauma in children can result from falls, accidents, or sports injuries. Because a child’s skull and brain are still developing, trauma must be evaluated immediately to prevent long-term neurological complications. Pediatric neurosurgeons manage critical emergencies by stabilizing the child, relieving pressure on the brain, and repairing skull or spinal injuries.

Conditions treated:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

• Skull fractures

• Epidural hematoma

• Subdural hematoma

• Intracranial hemorrhage

• Spinal trauma

Epilepsy and functional disorders

Some children continue to experience seizures despite medication. In these cases, specialized evaluation is necessary to identify the source of abnormal brain activity. Pediatric neurosurgeons collaborate with neurologists to perform detailed EEG testing, functional MRI, and surgical mapping. Surgery aims to control or eliminate seizures, improving the child’s quality of life, cognition, and development.

Conditions treated:

• Drug-resistant epilepsy

• Cortical dysplasia

• Hemispheric disorders (candidates for hemispherectomy)

• Tumor-related epilepsy

Vascular Malformations

Vascular abnormalities in children involve irregular blood vessels in the brain that may lead to bleeding, seizures, or developmental issues. These conditions can be serious and require precise evaluation using MRI, angiography, and sometimes urgent intervention. Biruni Hospital provides both surgical and endovascular treatments to manage these malformations safely.

Conditions treated:

• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)

• Cavernous malformations

• Moyamoya disease

• Vein of Galen malformations
  

Infections and inflammatory conditions

Although rare, infections in the brain or spinal cord can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Pediatric neurosurgeons perform procedures to drain infected areas, relieve pressure, and restore normal brain function. Combined with antibiotics and intensive care, surgical treatment helps prevent complications such as seizures or neurological deficits.

Conditions treated:

• Brain abscess

• Subdural empyema

• Ventriculitis

Spinal disorders

Spinal disorders in children can affect posture, movement, and nerve function. Some problems are congenital, while others develop over time due to growth patterns or neurological conditions. Pediatric neurosurgeons evaluate and treat spinal abnormalities to prevent progression, relieve symptoms, and improve mobility.

Conditions treated:

• Syringomyelia

• Diastematomyelia

• Spinal cord tethering

• Neurological complications from scoliosis

Peripheral nerve disorders

Peripheral nerve issues can affect arm or leg movement, sensation, or muscle strength. These disorders often result from birth injuries, trauma, or tumors. Pediatric neurosurgeons help repair damaged nerves, remove tumors, and relieve pressure to restore normal function and prevent long-term disability.

Conditions treated:

• Brachial plexus injuries

• Peripheral nerve tumors

• Nerve compression syndromes

Pediatric neurosurgery focuses on treating disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system in children. At Biruni Hospital, our specialists combine advanced technology, minimally invasive techniques, and multidisciplinary care to provide safe and effective treatments that protect neurological function and promote healthy development.

Treatments for congenital conditions at Biruni Hospital 

Many neurological conditions are present at birth or develop during early childhood. Early surgical intervention is often crucial to prevent long-term complications and support proper brain and spinal cord development.

Common treatments include:

• Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement for hydrocephalus

• Spina bifida repair and closure of myelomeningocele

• Cranial vault remodeling for craniosynostosis

• Posterior fossa decompression for Chiari malformation

• Arachnoid cyst fenestration or removal

• Tethered cord release

Brain and spinal tumor treatments

Pediatric neurosurgeons treat both benign and malignant tumors affecting the brain and spinal cord. The goal is to remove or reduce the tumor while preserving neurological function.

Treatment options include:

• Microsurgical tumor resection

• Endoscopic tumor removal in selected cases

• Stereotactic surgery guided by advanced imaging

• Combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for malignant tumors

Treatments for traumatic brain and spinal injuries

Children with head or spinal injuries require immediate care to prevent permanent damage. Neurosurgical interventions focus on relieving pressure, controlling bleeding, and repairing structural damage.

Procedures include:

• Cranial decompression (craniotomy or craniectomy)

• Hematoma evacuation (epidural, subdural, or intracerebral)

• Repair of skull fractures

• Spinal cord decompression for traumatic injuries

Epilepsy and functional neurosurgery

For children with drug-resistant epilepsy, surgical options can significantly improve seizure control and quality of life.

Surgical treatments include:

• Resective surgery to remove seizure-causing brain tissue

• Corpus callosotomy or hemispherectomy for severe cases

• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in selected functional disorders

Vascular malformation treatments

Vascular malformations in the brain can cause bleeding, seizures, or developmental issues. Treatment is carefully tailored to the type, location, and risk of complications.

Options include:

• Microsurgical resection of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) or cavernous malformations

• Endovascular embolization (catheter-based minimally invasive procedure)

• Stereotactic radiosurgery in selected cases

• Bypass surgery for Moyamoya disease

Treatments for infections and inflammatory conditions

Severe infections affecting the brain or spinal cord may require surgical intervention to relieve pressure and prevent permanent neurological damage.

Common interventions include:

• Surgical drainage of brain abscesses or subdural empyemas

• Ventricular drainage for ventriculitis

• Adjunct antibiotic or antiviral therapy

Peripheral nerve surgery

Peripheral nerve disorders in children, including injuries or tumors, require specialized neurosurgical techniques to restore function and prevent long-term deficits.

Procedures include:

• Nerve repair or grafting

• Tumor excision for peripheral nerve tumors

• Decompression surgery for nerve entrapment syndromes

Why choose pediatric neurosurgery at Biruni Hospital, Turkey

Turkey is recognized globally for its advanced medical facilities and high-quality healthcare services, attracting patients from around the world. At Biruni Hospital, we offer state-of-the-art pediatric neurosurgery care, combining cutting-edge technology with a multidisciplinary approach.

Our highly experienced neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists work together to provide safe, precise, and personalized treatments for children with brain, spinal, and nervous system disorders. From complex congenital conditions to brain tumors and epilepsy, Biruni Hospital ensures that every child receives the highest standard of care in a comfortable and supportive environment.

Final thoughts on pediatric neurosurgery

Pediatric neurosurgery is complicated and requires more than just technical skill. Each child presents challenges that need careful thought and ongoing attention. The path through treatment and recovery isn’t smooth or predictable. It needs steady planning, expert hands, and continuous follow up. Biruni Hospital focuses on practical care that aims for real outcomes rather than empty assurances.