Neurosurgery
The neurosurgery team at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s is one of the most experienced pediatric neurosurgery teams in the country. Because of the high volume of surgeries performed at Phoenix Children’s every year, our surgeons have in-depth experience in a wide range of neurological disorders, from the common to the very rare and complex.
Our neurosurgeons are all fellowship trained in pediatric neurosurgery and board certified or board eligible in neurological surgery and pediatric neurosurgery.
Some of the disorders treated through our neurosurgery program include:
- Arachnoid cysts
- Brain or spinal abscess
- Brain and spine tumors
- Cerebrovascular malformations
- Cerebral palsy and spasticity
- Chiari malformation
- Congenital brain and spine abnormalities
- Craniosynostosis and Craniofacial disorders
- Encephalocele
- Epilepsy
- Hydrocephalus
- Lipomyelomeningocele
- Moyamoya
- Neurofibromatosis
- Sacral dimples
A sacral dimple is a small indentation located on the midline just above the buttock crease. They are often apparent in the newborn period. These dimples are fairly common, appearing in approximately 3% to 8% of infants.
In most cases, sacral dimples are harmless and do not require treatment. However, they can occasionally be linked to underlying spinal conditions, especially connected to the underlying spinal cord by a tract or sinus. They are sometimes associated with other features like a tuft of hair, skin discoloration or a small skin tag. When these additional features are present, or the base of the sacral dimple cannot clearly be seen to be closed, a healthcare provider might recommend an ultrasound or other imaging tests to check for conditions like a tethered spinal cord or myelomeningocele, which is sometimes referred to as spina bifida. If an underlying condition is identified, treatment will be directed to that specific diagnosis. Generally, children with isolated sacral dimples have an excellent prognosis and typically do not face any related health issues.
- Spasticity and movement disorders
- Spina bifida/Myelomeningocele
- Spine injuries
- Stroke
- Syringomyelia
- Tethered spinal cord
Tethered spinal cord is a condition where the spinal cord becomes abnormally attached to tissues at the base of the spine, restricting its movement and growth. This can lead to the spinal cord stretching excessively, potentially reducing its blood supply and causing symptoms such as back pain, difficulty walking and urinary incontinence. Tethered spinal cord is often diagnosed in children, especially those with spina bifida, a condition where the spinal canal fails to close before birth, leading to the formation of a fluid-filled pouch or a lump of fat at the lower back. However, it can also be identified later in life, during adolescence or adulthood.
Symptoms of tethered spinal cord vary between children and adults. In children, signs include a soft lump of fat, a sacral dimple, or a patch of hair on the lower back, along with pain, numbness and difficulty walking. Treatment typically involves surgery to release the spinal cord from the tight tissues, and in some cases, the procedure may need to be repeated as the child grows.
- Traumatic brain injury
- Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)