Interagency pediatric neurosurgery

Paediatric Neurosurgery is an inter-departmental structure which carries out its activities at two sites: the IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche in Bologna and the Policlinico di S. Orsola. Paediatric Neurosurgery is the reference centre in the Emilia-Romagna Region for the diagnosis, surgical treatment and follow-up of diseases of the Central Nervous System in the paediatric population. The close collaboration between the Paediatric Operating Units, such as Child Neuropsychiatry, Neonatal Intensive Care, Paediatric Resuscitation, Paediatric Oncology, etc., allows all age groups to be treated, from the severely premature to the young adult, even in the presence of complex concomitant pathologies.

Care activities

Paediatric neurosurgery deals with the following pathologies:

• Congenital craniofacial malformations (Craniostenosis, Craniofacial Dysmorphisms): traditional and minimally invasive treatment aimed at minimising the impact of scarring and maximising the functional and aesthetic result
• Hydrocephalus and Endocranial Liquor Cysts: traditional and minimally invasive endoscopic surgical treatment using neuronavigation, laser and advanced neuroradiology techniques
• Brain and spinal cord neoplasms, vascular pathologies: multidisciplinary treatment (neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, radiotherapy) of all major tumours using microsurgical, neuroendoscopic, neurophysiological (intraoperative monitoring) and neuronavigation methods.
• Spinal dysraphisms (myelomeningocele, lumbar lipomas), Spinal cord anchorage
• Chiari Malformation and Cranio-Cervical Junction Abnormalities
• Epilepsies of surgical interest and vagus nerve stimulation.

Research activities

Applied clinical research is particularly focused on hydrocephalic pathology of infants and children, neuroendoscopy and epilepsy surgery.

Publications

See the main publications of this unit.

Staff

Mino Zucchelli, Neurosurgeon
Micol Babini, Neurosurgeon
Beatrice Gardenghi, Neurosurgeon
Mariella Lefosse, Neurosurgeon
Francesca Nicolini, Neurosurgeon

Contact

neurochirurgiapediatrica@ausl.bologna.it