Neurological care
Pediatric neurology
We offer compassionate treatment for conditions affecting the brain and nervous system.
At Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah, our neurological specialists serve Southeast Georgia and Southern South Carolina. We offer personalized treatment plans for neurological conditions your child may experience.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Pediatric neurological disorders we treat
We work with you and your child’s primary care physician to develop a customized neurological care plan for conditions such as:
- Arachnoid cysts
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- Brain tumors
- Cervical instability
- Chiari malformation
- Craniosynostosis
- Facial fractures
- Hydrocephalus
- Plagiocephaly
- Skull fractures
- Spina bifida
- Spinal fractures
- Spinal fusion
- Spinal tumors
- Tethered spinal cord
- Traumatic brain injuries
Neurological care for children
Our specialists offer a wide range of surgical options for your child depending on the condition of their neurological health.
Pediatric neurosurgery
Our pediatric neurosurgeons work with specialists from maternal-fetal care, neonatology, radiation therapy and pediatric oncology to ensure your child receives the most comprehensive treatment possible. We will extensively discuss the risks and benefits associated with your child's procedure so you can decide whether pediatric surgery is the best option.
Should your child need it, our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides the highest level of neonatal care in the area. We also have a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) if your child requires close monitoring following surgery. In addition, our dedicated children's emergency room (ER) has private rooms with space for you to stay with your child if they need emergency treatment for a neurological condition.
Arachnoid cysts
Arachnoid cysts are congenital brain cysts that form from the layers surrounding the brain early in pregnancy. In older children, most cysts do not change in size, but they are more likely to enlarge in a child who is four years old or younger.
Although most arachnoid cysts do not need treatment, some may require surgery to alleviate symptoms, such as headaches and seizures. Surgical options for arachnoid cysts include shunting to drain fluids and fenestration to create openings in the cyst's wall.
Chiari malformation
Chiari malformation occurs when there is not enough room in the skull, causing brain tissue to grow into the spinal canal. This congenital abnormality can cause fluid to build up in the spinal cord and result in headaches, sleep apnea, difficulty swallowing and dizziness. During Chiari malformation surgery, our surgeons will take pressure off of the brainstem, allowing the cerebrospinal fluid to flow freely.
Tethered spinal cord
A tethered spinal cord occurs when the spinal cord is attached abnormally to the tissues that surround it. It is usually caused by abnormalities in the development of the spinal cord during pregnancy. Tethered spinal cord symptoms can vary, but may include:
- Back pain
- Foot deformities
- Leg pain
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Scoliosis
- Urinary problems
Surgical treatment for a tethered spinal cord involves separating the spinal cord from its abnormal attachments and is often recommended before children experience any symptoms.