Neurotrauma Treatment Options From a Pediatric Neurosurgeon

Neurotrauma is a serious health problem, especially in young patients. If a child has suffered an injury to the head or spine, you need to contact the pediatric surgeon. They have the required training and experience to diagnose and treat conditions of the spine, brain and spine. Continue reading to learn about neurotrauma and the treatment options.

Neurotrauma

Neurotrauma is a head or spine injury caused by a sudden injury. In emergencies, especially those that are are trauma related, every moment counts. Parents need to get medical help for their children as soon as possible. Neurotraumas often have long-term consequences on the person, including cognitive impairment, nerve damage, pain and leaking spinal fluid. A pediatric neurosurgeon can diagnose and treat different forms of neurotraumas.

Diagnosing and treating neurotraumas in children

The pediatric neurosurgeon can treat children who have suffered a traumatic spine or brain injury. The doctor will examine the child and form a diagnosis. Afterward, they will create and implement a treatment plan that meets the child’s requirements. The pediatric neurosurgeon can make a diagnosis of the injury through neurological examinations, blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, EEGs or MRIs. The doctor might combine any of these tests. The recommended treatment will usually depend on the nature and severity of the injury.

Doctors use different surgical procedures to treat different forms of head and spine trauma. They utilize the latest imaging and surgical methods. This helps them plan adequately and perform surgery. They will not only treat the injury and the consequences but will also provide extensive follow-up and specialty care.

Injuries to the head, spine, face and neck are typically complex. Children may experience back and neck pain, headaches, seizures and facial pain. Other effects of head traumas include movement disorders and cognitive impairment. Some patients may need medications to stop infections. Others may need surgery to ease pain, improve mobility and reconstruct nerves. The pediatric surgeon will decide what is ideal for each child.

The child may require emergency surgery to stop further damages to brain tissues. The surgery may be done to correct issues like blood clots (hematomas). Bleeding outside or inside the brain can cause blood clots to gather and create pressure inside the brain that may damage tissues. The doctor can also repair skull fractures or relieve pressure inside the skull. Surgical treatment procedures include:

• Craniotomy for the evacuation of hematomas
• Decompressive craniectomy
• Cranioplasty
• Elevation of depressed skull fracture
• Cranialization of the frontal sinus
• External bracing for spine injury
• Complex craniofacial repair
• External ventricular drain placement
• Intracranial pressure monitoring
• Intracranial multimodality monitoring
• Traumatic cerebral spinal fluid leak repair
• Halo stabilization
• Spinal decompression
• Sacropelvic spine instrumentation and fusion
• Kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty

Visit the pediatric neurosurgeon

Most children with mild neurotraumas end up making a full recovery. You should take your child to the pediatric neurosurgeon for injuries related to the head or spine for adequate care. Even if the symptoms do not disappear immediately, the doctor will continue to monitor the patient’s progress.

Get more information here: https://www.drloudonpediatricneurosurgery.com or call Dr. William G. Loudon, Pediatric Neurosurgery at (714) 677-9463

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