PAEDIATRIC BRAIN SURGERY
As a Neurosurgery practice dedicated to the resection of brain tumours in Johannesburg, South Africa, resection of paediatric (child) brain tumours is an essential part of what we do. Our philosophy that every brain tumour is unique and requires meticulous preoperative planning with well-executed surgery also carries through for our young patients. We aim to provide solid support for the entire family during this trying time and establish a long-lasting relationship with your child that endures well beyond the surgery. One of Professor Profyris' specialities is paediatric oncologic brain surgery. Professor Profyris, is sub-speciality trained in adult and paediatric brain tumour surgery. Brain tumours in children are masses or growths of abnormal cells that develop in the brain or nearby tissues and structures. Decision making in brain tumour surgery can be quite complicated. Professor Profyris and his team in Johannesburg will ensure that all the appropriate tests and scans have been conducted. These are then assessed with extreme care and a surgical plan will be discussed with you and your family.
WHEN IS PAEDIATRIC BRAIN SURGERY NECESSARY?
Brain surgery may be needed in children to treat various conditions and abnormalities. Professor Profyris and his team in Gauteng offer treatment for the following paediatric conditions:
Brain tumours form the primary condition that Professor Profyris and his team treat in Johannesburg, South Africa. Paediatric or child brain tumours often require aggressive resection, which in certain instances can be curative. Common brain tumours that our team treats are medulloblastoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, colloid cyst and ependymoma. However, we also treat many other rare types of brain tumours. A comprehensive treatment plan will be arranged for your child, depending on the needs of each individual case. Types of cases can include:
- Neural tube defects such as myelomeningocele or encephalocele
- Cerebrovascular disorders such as Moya Moya Disease – STA-MCA Bypass Surgery
- Chiari malformation
- Craniofacial anomalies and craniosynostosis
- Arachnoid cysts
CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA
This is a case of a large craniopharyngioma operated on by Professor Profyris. The green arrows on the left hand images demonstrate the craniopharyngioma which has been removed as can be seen by the images on the right. The video demonstrates intraoperative endoscopic resection of the craniopharyngioma.
EPENDYMOMA
This is a case of a large ependymoma operated on by Professor Profyris through a keyhole approach. The green arrows on the left hand images demonstrate the tumour which has been removed as can be seen by the images on the right. The patient made an uneventful recovery with resolution of their symptoms.
INTRAVENTRICULAR TUMOUR
This is a case of an Intraventricular tumour operated on by Professor Profyris through a keyhole approach. The green arrows on the left hand images demonstrate the intraventricular tumour which has been removed, as can be seen by the images on the right. The patient made an uneventful recovery with resolution of their symptoms.
POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMOUR
This is a case of a paediatric posterior fossa tumour (pilocytic astrocytoma) operated on by Professor Profyris through a keyhole approach. The green arrows on the left hand images demonstrate the pituitary tumour which has been removed, as can be seen by the images on the right. Recovery was uneventful.
PAEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOUR
This is another paediatric tumour operated on by Professor Profyris. The green arrows on the left hand images demonstrate the pituitary tumour which has been removed, as can be seen by the images on the right. Recovery was uneventful. Below the scans there is an animation of this patients individual brain tracts demonstrating the tumour in red and the critical tracts in the other colours. Specifically in this case the tumour was opposed to a very important tract (corticospinal), seen in blue, which is responsible for moving the left side of the body. This type of analysis permits careful preoperative study of the tumour and the tracts, which allows for personalisation of the pre-operative plan to make resection as safe as possible by avoiding critical tracts. Careful intraoperative motor mapping was undertaken in this case.
FAQ
Any brain operation can be dangerous. The level of risk for a particular procedure will depend on many factors such as the tumour type, the location, tumour size and the condition of your child. Our aim is to make every surgery as safe as humanly possible through meticulous pre-operative planning, application of keyhole techniques, obsessive attention to operative technique and application of multiple technologies. As this is highly variable Professor Profyris and his team will have a detailed discussion about the specifics of each case.
Professor Profyris will ensure that your child will not experience any pain during the procedure. As keyhole brain surgery uses significantly smaller incisions and cutting of the skull than traditional approaches, post-operative pain is significantly less. Most patients only require very simple pain killers.
Children tend to recovery quicker than adults however recovery is highly variable and depends on many factors. However, the keyhole techniques that Professor Profyris utilises allow for faster recovery. Most patients are discharged from hospital after very few days and generally recover fairly quickly. Actual recovery will depend on factors such as tumour size and location. Professor Profyris will have a detailed conversation with you about this.
