Conditions We Treat

The Illinois Neurological Institute andChildren's Hospital of Illinoisprovide neurosurgical treatment for many different conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord, including:

Arachnoid cyst
A fluid-filled sac between the skull and the brain, or on the arachnoid membrane of the spine.

Brachial Plexus
Injury to a group of nerves from the spinal cord and neck, traveling down the arm. This may cause decreased function and feeling in the arm and hand.

Brain and spinal abscess
An infection caused by bacteria, often spread to the brain or spine from another part of the body.

Brain and spinal cord tumors/Neuro-Oncology
Abnormal cellular growth that the body does not need; either benign or cancerous. The Jim & Trudy Maloof St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois partners with neurosurgery to diagnose, coordinate, and deliver care.

Cerebral palsy and spasticity
条件,影响运动,导致僵硬或uncontrollable muscle tightening or twitching.

Chiari malformation
A problem in which the cerebellum and sometimes other parts of the brain crowd the spinal canal.

Complex Spine
Spinal deformities genetic or acquired or trauma-related spine problems, as well as benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

Craniosynostosis
When one or more bones of an infant's skull fuse prematurely.

Encephalocele
A rare defect in which an infant's skull does not close properly.

Epilepsy (pediatric)
Abnormal electrical and chemical brain activity which results in seizures.

Genetic Metabolic
Complex genetic metabolic disorders including leukodystrophy and multiple sclerosis.

Headache (pediatric) and Pain
Acute and chronic, simple and complex headaches experienced by those age 18 and under.

Head Trauma and Concussion
Brain injuries caused by a blow to the head or body.

Hydrocephalus
An abnormal amount of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain.

Lipomyelomeningocele
A fatty mass present at birth that fixes itself to the spinal cord.

Myelomeningocele/Spina Bifida
A deformed spine not closed at birth, leaving the spinal cord open to the air.

Neonatal and Neurofetal Neurology
Neurological disorders disagnosed and sometimes treated in utero or shortly following birth. Neurosurgery participates in the care of complex and high risk infants.

Neuromuscular
Complex neuromuscular problems including maladies that lead to dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system.

Stroke
Loss of blood flow to the brain.

Syringomyelia
A collection of cerebrospinal fluid in the center of the spinal cord.

Tethered spinal cord
A condition where the spinal cord is pulled down and stuck or fixed to the spinal canal.

Vascular diseases of the brain and spinal cord
Malformations of arteries and veins in the brain and spinal cord.