Nicklaus Children's Brain Institute provides state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for a full spectrum of pediatric neurological disorders. We have a comprehensive range of specialists, programs and clinics covering the following conditions:

Achondroplasia

Please see Bone Dysplasia for further information.

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a brain disorder that occurs more often in children than adults. It involves an inflammatory response in the brain causing alteration of mental state and other neurologic symptoms. Learn more

Acute Transverse Myelitis

Myelitis is a medical term that refers to the spinal cord when it becomes inflamed. When the inflammation spreads across a larger segment of the spinal cord quickly, it’s known as acute transverse myelitis. Learn more

AIN Syndrome/Pronator Syndrome

AIN syndrome and pronator syndrome are two related conditions that involve nerve dysfunction in the area of the elbow and forearm that cause pain and other symptoms. Both are related to the nerve being compressed or entrapped. Learn more

Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome

Amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome is a condition that causes normal pain sensation to be stronger and more intense than usual. It occurs due to problems related to the brain and spinal cord and often occurs in children. Learn more

Anencephaly

Anencephaly is a birth defect that affects the developing brain and skull bones of newborn babies. Learn more

Aneurysms

An aneurysm is a bulging weak spot in the wall of an artery and frequently occurs where arteries branch (usually in the brain, but can occur in other blood vessels, such as the aorta and peripheral blood vessels). Learn more

Apnea in Infants

Sleep apnea is a disease characterized by interruptions to breathing during sleep that vary in nature and severity. Learn more

Arachnoid Cysts

Arachnoid cysts are fluid filled sacs or cavities that appear on the arachnoid membrane and can present in many locations on the brain and/or spinal cord. Majority of these cysts are discovered incidentally and do not merit surgical intervention but rarely may cause headaches or progressive enlargement of the head. Learn more

Arterial Dissections

When a tear occurs in the lining of one of the body’s arteries, this is known as an arterial dissection. Learn more

Arterial Ischemic Stroke

Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood, oxygen and nutrients to all tissues of the body. An ischemic stroke occurs when an artery supplying the brain is damaged, ruptures or is blocked, causing the flow of blood to be interrupted from reaching the brain. Strokes can occur at all ages. Learn more

Astrocytoma

An Astrocytoma is a form of brain tumor (benign or cancerous), that develops in the cells that form the supportive tissue of the brain. Learn more

Attention Deficit and Learning Disorders (ADHD)

Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorder of childhood, affecting 3 to 7 percent of school-age children. Learn more

Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor

An atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, is a fairly rare aggressive tumor usually diagnosed in young children that forms in the tissues of the Central Nervous System. Learn more

Autism

Autism refers to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that makes it difficult for a child to interact socially, communicate verbally and non-verbally and connect with people. Learn more

Becker's Muscular Dystrophy

Becker's muscular dystrophy is a disorder that causes the muscles of the pelvis and legs to get gradually weaker over time. This can lead to a number of complications as the disease progresses. Learn more

Bell's Palsy

Bell’s palsy is a sudden unexplained episode of weakness or paralysis of part of the face muscles, usually on one side, that can occur at any age. Learn more

Bone Dysplasia

Dwarfism is a type of short stature. There are hundreds of different medical conditions that can affect ultimate size and/or the growth of an infant. Learn more

Brachial Plexopathy

The brachial plexus is a nerve center found on each side of the neck. It’s the junction where nerve roots from the spinal cord branch out into the arms. When the brachial plexus becomes injured or damaged, this is known as brachial plexopathy. Learn more

Brain Abscess/Subdural Empyema

Subdural empyema and brain abscess are serious infections of the brain where pus accumulates inside or around the brain, often as a consequence of sinusitis, ear infections, dental caries or even urine infections. These can result in severe headaches, drowsiness or seizures. An urgent intervention is often necessary. Hence a consultation or visit to the emergency room is recommended. Learn more

Brain Infections

The brain and its coverings can become infected by a wide variety of infections which include bacteria, viruses and uncommonly parasites and fungi. Learn more

Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury or Primary injury to the brain occurs after a direct blow to the head which results in a diminished function of the brain. Learn more

Brain Tumors

The term brain tumor refers to an unusual growth of tissue seen in the brain irrespective of the nature and cause of the growth. Learn more

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The median nerve is a mixed (motor and sensory) nerve of the upper extremity. If it becomes compressed as it travels through the wrist, the result can be carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes a number of symptoms in hand. Learn more

Cavernous Malformations

Cavernous malformations are frequently small clusters of blood vessels that form abnormally. Learn more

CDKL5 Disorder

CDKL5 (Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 5) is a gene located on the X-chromosome. The CDKL5 gene is required to function normally for a normal brain to develop. Learn more

Cerebral Palsy from Birth-Related Complications

Cerebral palsy is a condition that impacts the muscles, posture and movement. People with the disorder often have trouble moving or walking due to the limitations created by this condition. In many cases, complications that occur at birth can lead to cerebral palsy. Learn more

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis/Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis is an increasingly recognized cause of stroke in a newborn baby, or children, about 40% of childhood CSVT’s. Learn more

Cerebrovascular Accidents

The commonest types of Stroke in children are when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to a blood vessel rupturing or a blockage occurs Learn more

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Of the inherited nerve disorders, Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome is one of the most common. It impacts the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It impacts 1 in every 2,500 people in the US and is named for the three doctors who discovered the disorder. Learn more

Chiari Malformation

Please see Syringomyelia for further information.

Choroid Plexus Brain Tumor

The choroid plexus is the tissue that lies in the cavities of the brain (called ventricles and there are four of them) that creates the fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) which surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord. Learn more

Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion is a disorder that occurs when a small part of chromosome 22 is missing at birth. It leads to a wide variety of complications in children born with the disorder. Learn more

Chronic Insufficient Sleep

The repeated, continuous failure to get enough sleep each night (less than six hours) is known as chronic insufficient sleep. Learn more

Circadian Rhythm Disorders (CRD)

Circadian rhythms are the natural rhythms that control an animal’s biological clock. When something disrupts these rhythms, it’s known as a circadian rhythm disorder. Learn more

CLOVES Syndrome

CLOVES syndrome is a very rare congenital disorder that is characterized by the presence of several problems together. Learn more

Concussions

Concussion is the temporary abnormality in the way the brain works that occurs after a traumatic jolting of the brain following a blow, bump or shaking of the head (injury). Learn more

Congenital abnormalities of the Central Nervous System (CNS)

Congenital abnormalities of the CNS are birth defects of the physical structure of the brain or spinal cord that occur during fetal intrauterine growth. Learn more

Congenital Heart Defects/Disease

Any unusual physical feature or health problem that is present at the birth of a baby is known as a birth defect or a congenital anomaly. Learn more

Congenital Muscular Dystrophy

Congenital muscular dystrophy refers to a group of muscular dystrophies that are present at birth or shortly afterward. They involve muscle weakness, joint stiffness and other symptoms that impact a child’s ability to move, breathe and even learn. Learn more

Congenital Myopathies

Myopathies are diseases that impact the muscles. A congenital myopathy is a muscle disease that is present at birth. They can take on many forms, but almost all of them include lack of muscle tone or muscle weakness. Learn more

Craniofacial Abnormalities

Craniofacial is a broad medical term that describes abnormalities of the bones of the skull and face. Learn more

Craniopharyngioma

A craniopharyngioma is a non-cancerous brain tumor that develops from cells present during early brain development, and in childhood frequently presents between the ages of 5-14 years. Learn more

Craniosynostosis

When a baby has craniosynostosis, however, one or more of the bones of the skull are joined together by bone prematurely, which lead to problems depending on which, and how many sutures may have closed early. Learn more

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

The ulnar nerve is a mixed (sensory and motor) nerve that runs along the inner part of the elbow. If it gets compressed, the result can be cubital tunnel syndrome, which causes a number of symptoms in the arm and hand. Learn more

Cushing's Syndrome (Hypercortisolism)

Cushing syndrome is a relatively rare hormone problem in children (it usually occurs in the 25-40 year age group) associated with too much of the “stress hormone” cortisol (which helps your child's body respond to illness or injury) being present. Learn more

Demyelinating Disease

The myelin sheath is a protective fatty material that wraps, protects and insulates the nerve fibers of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Learn more

Developmental Delays

Whenever a child fails to reach a set of developmental milestone for physical/motor, in language and communication, social, or behavioral function, and/or cognitive ability at their expected time, it's known as developmental delay. Learn more

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

Glial tissue are cells of the brain that protects and supports the neurons. Tumors that start in the glial tissue at the base of the brain in the brainstem area (which controls breathing, heart rate and blood pressure plus other functions) called the Pons, just above the back of the neck, are called diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas. Learn more

Disc Herniation

Please see Spinal Cord Injury for further information.

Dwarfism

Please see Bone Dysplasia for further information.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability that’s characterized by a variety of difficulties related to reading, speech or understanding speech or the written word. Children with the disorder often have challenges related to school or learning. Learn more

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious viral infection that causes inflammation in the brain, or encephalitis. Learn more

Embryonal Brain Tumors

Embryonic (fetal) cells are a type of brain cell that remains in the brain after birth and while embryonic tumors can occur at any age they most often happen in babies and young children. Learn more

Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a form of muscular dystrophy that causes problems with the skeletal muscles and the heart. The joints most commonly impacted by this form of muscular dystrophy include the elbows, ankles and neck. Almost all adults with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy develop heart problems. Learn more

Encephalitis

Encephalitis is a rare inflammation of the brain, which has a number of causes. Learn more

Encephalocele

An encephalocele is a rare disorder where the bones of a fetus’s skull do not close all the way resulting in a space through which the tissues surrounding the brain and brain tissue itself bulges. Learn more

Ependymoma

Ependymal cells form the lining of the ventricles (fluid containing spaces) in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. Tumors that develop from these cells, (fairly rarely, though 6 percent to 12 percent of childhood brain tumors) are called ependymomas. The average age at diagnosis is between 2 and 4 years. Learn more

Epilepsy

Childhood epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes an infant or a child to have repeated seizures over time. Some children may have difficulty in controlling the seizures in spite of being on multiple medications. These patients may be candidates for epilepsy surgery. All these patients should be evaluated in the multidisciplinary Epilepsy Clinic. After a thorough evaluation a surgical plan is formulated. The various surgeries include removal of involved brain or its destruction using a laser technology (Visualase®). Learn more

Erb's Palsy

Erb’s palsy is a form of brachial nerve palsy that occurs in newborn babies which is characterized by weakness, loss of feeling and difficulty moving the affected arm. Learn more

Facial Motion Disorders

In order to make facial expressions, (e.g. smiling or closing one's eyes) the brain sends a signal to the muscles of our face through the 7th cranial nerve called the facial nerve. Learn more

Facial Nerve Paralysis

Please see Facial Motion Disorders for further information.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol spectrum are a group of birth defects that occur when a woman drinks alcohol while pregnant. Learn more

Fetal CNS Abnormalities

Please see Congenital Abnormalities of the Central Nervous System for further information.

Fibrous Dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon bone disease frequently affecting one bone (the skull or long bones of the arms and legs) Learn more

Friedreich's Ataxia

Ataxia is a medical term for the loss of coordination and balance. Friedreich’s ataxia is a common form of ataxia that also impacts the nervous system and heart. Learn more

Genetic Diseases

Genetic diseases are conditions that occur due to a mutation in a gene ( a unit of hereditary ) in your body’s cells. Learn more

Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme are high-grade 1V, aggressively growing, cancerous glial tumors which infiltrate into healthy adjacent brain tissue, frequently occurring in both boys and girls aged 5-10 years. Learn more

Glioma

Glioma is a form of cancer that develops from glial cells of the brain - those cells which support and nourish the neurons. Learn more

Gliomatosis Cerebri

Astrocytes are star-shaped cells that are part of a glial network of supportive and nourishing tissue within the brain. One rare form of malignant tumor that grows and infiltrates aggressively from these cells and which spreads over the top and throughout the brain is known as gliomatosis cerebri. Learn more

Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency

Glucose transporter type 1 is a rare genetic disorder where the protein that is necessary to carry glucose from the bloodstream into the brain is lacking. Learn more

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

When the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves of the body, usually following a gastrointestinal or respiratory tract infection, the group of diseases that result is known as Guillain-Barre syndrome. Learn more

Hamartoma

A Hamartoma is a benign, or noncancerous tumor. It is a mixture of normal tissues/cells that grow abnormally in the place where the tissue/cells normally are found. Learn more

Head and Spine Trauma

Head and spine trauma refer to injuries or accidents that affect an individual’s brain and/or spinal cord. Learn more

Headaches

Any type of pain in the head, neck, and face can be classified as a headache. Learn more

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhage means bleeding. Bleeding into the brain occurs after either a clot forms in a vessel carrying blood to it or a brain blood vessel breaks because of an abnormality or disease of the blood vessel. Learn more

Hereditary Neuropathy

Hereditary neuropathy is a medical term that refers to a group of different inherited medical conditions that cause progressive loss of function (and sensation) from abnormally working nerves that carry signals from the spinal cord to muscles. Learn more

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is primarily an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. Learn more

Inflammatory Brain or Spine Disease

Inflammations of the brain and spinal cord are usually caused by infections from bacteria, viruses or other germs. Others may be caused by genetic abnormalities. Learn more

Inflammatory Myopathies

Myopathies are diseases that impact the muscles. An inflammatory myopathy is a disease that is chronic and involves inflammation, muscle weakness and sometimes muscle pain. The four main types are polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis and necrotizing autoimmune myopathy. Learn more

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Please see Hemorrhagic Stroke for further information.

Ischemic Stroke

“Ischemia” is the lack of blood supply to an organ resulting in not enough oxygen being delivered to meet the needs of the organ to function normally. When this happens to the blood supply of the brain it's called an “ischemic stroke”. Learn more

Landau-Kleffner Syndrome

Landau-Kleffner syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that causes sudden or gradual development of language difficulties and, in some cases recurrent seizures in children, starting between the ages of 2 and 8 years. Learn more

Learning Disorders and Disabilities

Learning disabilities and disorders are brain based processing difficulties which interfere with learning skills like reading, writing and doing mathematics. Children with learning disorders usually have normal intellectual ability. Learn more

Leukodystrophy

Leukodystrophy refers to a group of rare progressive diseases that affect the white matter of the brain (myelin), causing a slowing or blockage in brain signals. Learn more

Macrocephaly

When a child has a head circumference that is larger than normal (for the infant's gestational age, age, sex and race), the medical term is macrocephaly. Most often these children may have an accelerated growth in the first few months after delivery and often have a family history of macrocephaly. The head circumference stabilizes at 18-24 months. Other serious causes of a large head should be excluded. Learn more

Malignant Glioma

Gliomas are tumors formed from cells (glial cells) that hold the nerve cells in the brain in place, protect them and provide them with food and oxygen. Gliomas are divided into four grades of severity (1-1V) depending on the tumor cells’ appearance. The higher the grade the more severe the glioma. Learn more

Medulloblastoma

Of cancerous brain tumors that can affect children, medulloblastoma is the most common. They represent about 20 percent if childhood brain tumors, particularly in children between the ages of 3 and 8 years, with boys affected more than girls. Learn more

Meningocele

Please see Myelomeningocele for further information.

Metopic Synostosis

When the sutures in the middle of the forehead of an infant close earlier than they should, it’s known as metopic synotosis. A triangular pointed skull is a noticeable sign of this condition. Learn more

Microcephaly

When a newborn baby or an infant's head is found to be much smaller than normal for its age, the condition is known as microcephaly. Learn more

Migraine (Headache)

Migraines are a type of intense headache. They can last from hours to days and be so severe that it causes disabling symptoms. About 5% of children experience migraine headaches by the age of 15. Learn more

Movement Disorders

Please see Spasticity and Movement Disorders for further information.

Moyamoya Disease

Moyamoya disease is a rare disease, frequently seen in children, that causes the blood vessels in the brain to narrow. There are many causes for this disease and treatment is tailored according to the severity of the disease. Learn more

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS), is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system, attacks and inflames the central nervous system and organs. Learn more

Muscular Dystrophy (MD)

Muscular dystrophy describes a broad group of many ( there are 9 major types ), chronic, progressive illnesses that cause the muscles of the body to become increasingly weak and less flexible over time. Learn more

Myasthenia Gravis in Children

MG in a rare chronic autoimmune disease in children of all ages, it is characterized by muscle weakness of varying degree in many different areas of the body, it commonly affects the eyes, mouth, throat, arms and legs. Learn more

Myelomeningocele

A myelomeningocele is a bulge or sac of the fluid that surround the spinal cord. Learn more

Myotonic Dystrophy

Please see Muscular Dystrophy for further information.

Nerve Injuries

Nerves are the system of fibers that carry signals from the brain to the rest of the body. When an injury or damage occurs to one or many nerves, these are known as nerve injuries. Learn more

Nervous System Disorders

Any condition that adversely affects the function of any part of the nervous system is called a nervous system disorder. Learn more

Neural Tube Defects

A neural tube defect is a birth defect that occurs very early in the development of a fetus, often during the first month of pregnancy, where the brain, spinal cord and spinal column do not develop normally. In some children there is an open defect at birth which needs to be repaired within 24 hours while others may have a skin covered swelling which can be repaired more electively. Learn more

Neurocutaneous Syndromes

Neurocutaneous syndromes is a broad term for a group of rare neurological lifelong disorders that cause tumors to grow inside the spinal cord, brain, skin, skeletal bones and other organs. Learn more

Neurofibrosarcoma

Neurofibrosarcoma is a rare type of malignant cancer in children that develops in the cells of the sheath of the arms and legs, spreading along the nerves. Learn more

Neurogenetic–Neurometabolic Abnormalities

Neurogenetic and neurometabolic abnormalities are disorders that affect how the brain ( and/or other organs) function. Learn more

Neuromyelitis Optica

Neuromyelitis optica is a rare and severe disease of the central nervous system that primarily affects the eye nerves and spinal cord. Learn more

Neuronal and Mixed Neuronal-Glial Tumors

The brain and spinal cord contain many neurons and supporting cells. Neuronal and mixed neuronal-glial tumors are a rare group of tumors made up of cells of both types, which vary in degree of aggressiveness. Learn more

Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Neuropsychiatric disorder is a blanket medical term that encompasses a broad range of medical conditions that involve both neurology and psychiatry. Common disorders include: seizures, attention deficits, cognitive deficits, palsies, uncontrolled anger, migraine headaches, addictions, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety and others. Learn more

Night Terrors

Night terrors are episodes of screaming, flailing and intense fear that occur during sleep. Learn more

Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Please see Brachial Plexus Injuries for further information.

Peripheral Neuropathy

The peripheral nerves are the vast network of nerves that transmits messages from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to the rest of the body. When these nerves don’t function normally it is known as a peripheral neuropathy. Learn more

Periventricular Leukomalacia

Periventricular leukomalacia is a brain disorder occurring in prematurely born babies which is characterized by brain damage with softening and death of the inner part of the brain. Learn more

Peroneal Nerve Injury/Palsy

The peroneal nerve is an important nerve in the lower leg. It provides sensory input from the lateral aspect of the lower leg and the dorsum (top) of the foot. It also provides motor input to the muscles responsible for dorsiflexion (lifting the foot off of the ground) and eversion of the foot. When this nerve becomes injured, it can lead to sensation and movement problems, most commonly, a condition known as foot drop. Learn more

Pfeiffer Syndrome

Pfeiffer syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by early fusion of the bones of the skull (craniosynostosis). This in turn leads to abnormalities of the head and face. Learn more

Pilocytic Astrocytoma

An astrocytoma is a type of brain tumor glioma, and pilocytic astrocytomas are a family of slow-growing, mostly noncancerous (non spreading-grades 1 and 11) tumors from glial cells. Learn more

Plagiocephaly

It is a condition characterized by a flattening of the skull on one side or on the back of the head. Learn more

Polyneuropathy

Neuropathy refers to damage that occurs to the nerves. When this damage occurs to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, or those outside of the brain and spinal cord, it is known as polyneuropathy. It can be either acute (short-lived) or chronic (long-lasting). Learn more

Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET)

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are a group of cancers (malignant) that start in nerve cells formed in the fetus during early development that haven't developed the way they should have. Learn more

Pseudotumor Cerebri

Pseudotumor cerebri is a condition characterized by headaches and visual disturbances without an underlying brain tumor. While it is most commonly seen in young adults, it may be seen in children also. The causes may include obesity, certain drugs amongst others. The treatment options include weight loss, medications and in some instances, optic nerve decompression or CSF diversion. Learn more

Radial Nerve Palsy

The radial nerve is responsible for sensation and movement along the posterior aspect of the arm and hand. Injury to this nerve is referred to as radial nerve palsy, and the symptoms typically include loss of sensation along the posterior aspect of arm, forearm and hand. Learn more

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a general pain disorder that can affect various regions of the body. It is poorly understood but seems to stem from the autonomic nervous system, which is the part of the nervous system that handles involuntary functions like heart rate and blood pressure. Learn more

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder in which the child or adolescent reports an uncomfortable and irresistible urge to move his or her legs. Learn more

Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a genetic condition that impacts the development of the brain. The primary result is that the muscles that control speech, body movements and the eyes don’t work as well as they should. Girls are the primary victims of the disorder. Learn more

Seizures

A seizure is a sudden abnormal burst of electrical activity in one or more parts of the brain that interrupt the normal brain signals and result in a wide variety of symptoms such as loss of conciousness and uncontrollable muscle spasms. Learn more

Skull Fracture

Whenever the skull bone breaks, regardless of the severity, nature, or extent of the breakage, it is known as a skull fracture. Learn more

Sleep Behavior Disorder

Sleep behavior disorder is a condition that occurs during REM sleep. Learn more

Sleep Disorders

Two out of three children under the age of 10 years have some type of sleep problem. Sleep problems can be divided into two broad groups: dyssomnias and parasomnias. Learn more

Sleep Eating

Sleep eating is an unusual condition where the child will eat and drink uncontrollably while still asleep. Learn more

Sleep Talking

When a child talks in his or her sleep without being aware of it, this is known as sleep talking. Learn more

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is a condition in which a child gets out of bed and walks around while sleeping. Learn more

Speech Disorders

Any abnormality of a child’s ability to speak clearly and normally can be classified as a speech disorder. Learn more

Spina Bifida

Please see Myelomeningocele for further information.

Spinal Cord Injury

The spinal cord is a group of nerves that run down the back of a person that carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. Acute spinal cord injury in children is fairly uncommon, frequently occurs in adolescents/ young adults and are often male. Learn more

Stroke disorders and hypercoagulation disorders

A stroke is brain damage caused by either not enough blood reaching the brain due to blockage of or bleeding from blood vessels or from one or more of the large veins being blocked in the brain. Learn more

Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia is a rare chronic condition where fluid accumulates (syrinx) within the spinal cord. The most common cause of syringomyelia is Chiari malformation. Other conditions that may cause syringomyelia include spinal cord tumors, tethered spinal cord or shunt malfunction. Learn more

Tectal Gliomas

A tectal glioma ( from a type of glial cell that nourishes and supports other brain cells) is a slow growing, generally benign (non spreading), brain tumor in children 3-16 years of age, situated in the upper portion or roof of the brain stem ( this area of the brain controls important body functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure). Learn more

Tethered Spinal Cord

A tethered cord is held fixed or held taught by a band (usually at the end of the cord) in the spinal canal. Learn more

Transverse myelitis

TM is a rare inflammatory disease of the spinal cord (frequently the middle or thoracic part of the cord) that damages the protective covering (myelin) of the nerves ( both for movement and sensation) that transmit information between the brain and the rest of the body. Learn more

Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury

The brachial plexus is a bundle/network of peripheral nerves located in the area of the neck and shoulder. The plexus, also known as a network, begins as 5 nerves in the neck, exiting the spinal cord and contributing to branches (peripheral nerves) that extend into the shoulder, arm, forearm and hand. These nerves transmit sensory information from and motor information to the arm and hand. An injury to the brachial plexus can cause a number of issues with the arms and hands. Learn more

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI is an injury to the brain from direct or indirect physical force to the head and/or brain. Learn more

Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disease, often diagnosed during infancy or childhood, that causes benign tumors to grow in many parts of the body, including the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and skin. Learn more

Vascular Malformations

A vascular malformation is an abnormality where clusters of blood vessels develop during fetal development. Learn more

Venous Sinus Disease

The venous sinuses are spaces or openings between different layers of the brain that drain blood from the brain. When problems such as blood clots or other issues occur in the venous sinuses, it is known as venous sinus disease. Learn more

Ventriculomegaly

The brain floats in the CSF fluid surrounding it, and the CSF circulates through the ventricular and the spaces around the brain and the spinal cord, constantly being produced and absorbed. Ventriculomegaly is a congenital (before birth) condition in which the ventricles of a fetus/baby are abnormally large. Learn more

Viral Encephalitis

If the brain becomes infected and inflamed, this condition is often known as encephalitis. In most cases it causes flu-like symptoms and is fairly mild, but it can become life-threatening in rare instances. Learn more

Von Hippel-Lindau Disease

Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a rare inherited disorder that causes non cancerous cysts and tumors and/or cancerous tumors to grow in various organs of the body. Learn more