Why Choose Us
Expertise in Brain and Spine Conditions from Infancy to Adulthood
At NewYork-Presbyterian, our pediatric neurosurgeons are specially trained in treating children from infancy through young adulthood and have advanced skills in correcting brain and spine conditions in young patients. They understand that children are not simply miniature adults – they have physical, emotional, and cognitive needs that are different than those of adult patients. Kids who are still growing need to be treated throughout their maturation process, and our pediatric neurosurgeons have special expertise in the transitional stages from childhood through adulthood.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
NewYork-Presbyterian’s pediatric neurosurgeons are internationally recognized for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of neurosurgical diseases and disorders in children. Their knowledge and clinical expertise across the entire spectrum of pediatric disorders of the brain and spine, coupled with a multidisciplinary team approach, enables them to develop expertise in very rare conditions such as gene therapy, prenatal surgery, movement disorders, cerebrovascular diseases, spasticity, and craniovertebral junction (CVJ) abnormalities.
As physicians affiliated with dedicated children’s hospitals, they collaborate with pediatric specialists in every field of medicine and surgery as needed, including child neurologists and neuroradiologists, anesthesiologists, neuropathology, nurses, child life advocates and social workers specially trained to work with children.
Innovative Surgical Techniques and Technologies
Our pediatric neurosurgeons are highly experienced in advanced surgical techniques to treat brain and spinal disorders such as Chiari malformations and other complex spinal deformities:
- Fetal Surgery: NewYork-Presbyterian has the only program in the city offering minimally invasive approaches to the in utero repair of myelomeningocele, a form of spina bifida associated with a wide range of complications including early death, paralysis, and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Performing this surgery while the baby is still in the womb has been shown to significantly improve results by decreasing the need for cerebrospinal fluid shunting and improving motor function.
- Surgery with precision: Our pediatric neurosurgeons use the latest mapping and monitoring techniques to plan surgery to ensure the best outcomes while minimizing risk.
- Microsurgery: Our pediatric neurosurgeons use microsurgery procedures that involve the use of a high-powered operating microscope and specialized instruments to operate on small or delicate structures in the brain. These microsurgical techniques enable our neurosurgeons to navigate with tremendous precision around the finest nerve endings and blood vessels to repair or remove a brain abnormality. Microsurgery has ultimately allowed our neurosurgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures, which offer patients smaller incisions, fewer complications, and faster recoveries.
- Minimally invasive surgery: Our pediatric neurosurgeons are able to utilize minimally invasive approaches to surgery in most of our pediatric patients, resulting in smaller incisions, less pain after surgery, less scarring, and a faster recovery. Our neurosurgeons are exceptionally skilled at endoscopic procedures for the treatment of hydrocephalus, intracranial cysts, spinal disorders, and certain brain tumors.
World-Class Brain & Spine Centers
NewYork-Presbyterian’s world-class brain and spine centers, located at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, offer the most advanced, comprehensive pediatric neurosurgical care to children of all ages for a wide range of pediatric brain and spine conditions, using innovative treatments and a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach.
Seamless Access to Resources and Support Services
At NewYork-Presbyterian, patients and families have seamless access to our vast resources, including on-staff neuropsychologists who offer testing and treatments for emotional and cognitive issues that may occur after a brain disorder. We also have a Parent-to-Parent program that can connect you personally with a parent whose child has been treated for the condition your child has.
Access to Clinical Trials
Our pediatric neurosurgeons lead and participate in clinical trials for patients with Chiari malformation and other congenital spine disorders. Please ask your physician about these studies and if you/your child may be eligible.
Pioneers in the Field
Our pediatric neurosurgeons are actively involved in research to improve treatments for neurologic conditions including epilepsy, brain tumors, and other disorders that affect neurological function in children of all ages, from newborns to young adults. We are committed to our pursuit of progress in the labs and at the bedside to achieve the best possible outcomes and quality of life for our patients and their families.