Related Conditions and Treatments
Achondroplasia
Condition
Achondroplasia is a genetic bone disorder, affecting one in 20,000 babies. It is the most common type of dwarfism.
Angiogram
Treatment
An angiogram is a minimally invasive test that maps the arterior veins in a part of your child's body.
Apert Syndrome
Condition
Apert syndrome, also known as acrocephalosyndactyly, is a genetic disorder that causes fusion of the skull, hands, and feet bones.
Arachnoid Cysts
Condition
Arachnoid cysts are sacs filled with spinal fluid that grow in between the brain or spinal cord and the arachnoid membrane that covers them.
Arterial Dissection
Condition
An arterial dissection is a tear along the inside lining of an artery and can occur in a child's head, neck, or spine.
Arteriovenous Fistulas (AVFs)
Condition
Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare abnormalities in which arteries connect directly with veins, bypassing the capillaries. They can occur anywhere in the body.
Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)
Condition
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangle of arteries and veins in the brain that disrupt the normal flow of blood.
Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)
Condition
Learn more about Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) symptoms and treatments. AVM tissues removed after treatment are being studied by our researchers.
Astrocytoma
Condition
Astrocytomas are tumors that arise in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination.
Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT)
Condition
An atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a very rare, aggressive tumor of the central nervous system.
Baclofen Pump
Treatment
A baclofen pump is a machine that is placed under the skin of one side of the abdomen used to deliver baclofen (muscle relaxer) directly into the spinal canal.
Basilar Invagination
Condition
Basilar invagination is a rare condition in which the top of the spine compresses the brain stem.
Birth Defects and Congenital Anomalies
Condition
A birth defect is a health problem or a physical abnormality.
Bowlegs
Condition
Bowlegs (genu varum) is a condition in which a child’s legs curve outward at the knees.
Brain Abscess
Condition
A brain abscess is a brain infection that may cause problems with a child's brain and spinal cord function.
Brain Aneurysms
Condition
A brain aneurysm is a weak point in a blood vessel within the brain.
Brain Cavernous Malformations
Condition
Learn how Cavernous malformation, a small mass consisting of an abnormally expanded thin-walled blood vessel, is treated at Boston Children Hospital.
Brain PET/CT
Treatment
A brain PET/CT scan is a safe, effective, and non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique that provides highly detailed images of the brain.
Brain Scan
Treatment
A brain scan is a diagnostic imaging technique that provides images of blood flow in the brain. It can detect changes in blood flow within the brain that cannot be seen with other imaging methods.
Brain Tumors
Condition
Childhood brain tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), but both types can be life-threatening. Learn more from Boston Children's Hospital.
Branchial Cleft Remnant
Condition
Branchial cleft cysts and sinus tracts are a mass of abnormally formed tissues within the head and neck.
CLOVES Syndrome
Condition
CLOVES syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by vascular anomalies and other problems. Learn more from Boston Children’s Hospital.
Capillary malformation
Condition
A capillary malformation, or port-wine stain, is a kind of birthmark.
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Condition
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect muscle tone, posture, and movement as a result of damage to an infant's brain.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Children
Condition
Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but serious condition that is a cause of stroke in children, and newborns.
Cervical Teratoma
Condition
A cervical teratoma is a very rare congenital tumor in the neck.
Chiari Malformation
Condition
Chiari malformation is an abnormality in the back of the head where the brain and spinal cord meet.
Chondrosarcoma
Condition
Chondrosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that typically develops in the cartilage that coats the ends of bones and forms joints.
Choroid Plexus Brain Tumor
Condition
Choroid plexus brain tumors develop in the tissue located in the spaces of the brain called ventricles.
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Condition
A child with a cleft lip has a visible separation in the skin of their top lip. A child with cleft palate has incomplete development of the soft and/or hard palate.
Craniofacial Anomalies
Condition
Craniofacial anomalies are deformities that affect a child’s head and facial bones.
Craniopharyngioma
Condition
Craniopharyngioma is a childhood brain tumor.
Craniosynostosis
Condition
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the fibrous connections grow together (fuse) too early.
Crouzon Syndrome
Condition
Crouzon syndrome is a complex genetic birth disorder that may affect a child’s face, skull, and teeth. Learn more from Boston Children's Hospital.
Cushing's Syndrome
Condition
Cushing’s syndrome is the overproduction of corticosteroids.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Treatment
Deep brain stimulation therapy uses a small device similar to a pacemaker to send mild electrical pulses to the parts of the brain that are responsible for the involuntary movements.
Desmoid Tumor
Condition
Desmoid tumors are thought to develop from the fibrous tissue that forms tendons and ligaments.
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Condition
Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas are highly aggressive and difficult-to treat-brain tumors found at the base of the brain. See how we treat them.
Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET)
Condition
A dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) is a low-grade, slow-growing brain tumor.
Learn more about Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET)
Embolization
Treatment
Embolization is a minimally invasive, image guided treatment that involves injecting a special material or a device into a blood vessel in order to block or close it.
Encephaloceles
Condition
An encephalocele is a rare birth defect in which the tissue covering the brain, and a portion of the brain itself, protrude through openings in the skull.
Endovenous Laser Ablation
Treatment
Endovenous laser ablation is a minimally invasive technique used for treating some types of vascular malformations.
Ependymoma
Condition
An ependymoma is a tumor that arises from cells that are found lining the ventricular system (areas of the brain or spinal cord where spinal fluid is found).
Epilepsy in Children
Condition
Epilepsy is a complex condition that makes a child susceptible to seizures.
Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma (EHE)
Condition
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular tumor or anomaly that arises from the cells lining the blood vessels. Learn more from Boston Children’s Hospital.
Fibrosarcoma
Condition
A fibrosarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that originates in the connective fibrous tissue found at the ends of bones of the arm or legs, and then spreads to other surrounding soft tissues.
Ganglioglioma
Condition
A ganglioglioma is low-grade tumor of mixed cell type.
Genetic Disorders
Condition
Genetic disorders include certain types of birth defects, chronic diseases, developmental problems, and sensory deficits that are inherited from one or both parents.
Germ Cell Tumors of the Brain
Condition
Germ cell tumors of the brain develop from germ cells — the cells that later become sperm in the testicles or eggs in the ovaries.
Germinoma
Condition
A germinoma is a type of germ cell tumor that is most often found in the brain.
Glioblastoma Multiforme
Condition
Glioblastoma multiformes (GBMs) are high-grade gliomas that arise from the brain’s supportive tissue (glial cells).
Glioma
Condition
A glioma is a kind of brain tumor that originates from glial cells, which support and nourish neurons in the brain.
Gliomatosis Cerebri
Condition
Gliomatosis cerebri is a highly aggressive, rare form of malignant astrocytic tumor.
Head or Brain Injury
Condition
Head injury is a broad term that describes many different types of conditions — ranging from bumps and bruises to concussions, skull fractures, and serious brain injuries.
Hemangioma
Condition
A hemangioma is a type of benign tumor in infants. Learn more from Boston Children’s Hospital.
Hemangiopericytoma
Condition
Hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor that grows in the body’s soft tissue, which includes fat, muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels and other fibrous tissue.
Hydrocephalus
Condition
Hydrocephalus is extra fluid in or around the brain.
Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)
Condition
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is bleeding inside or around the ventricles — spaces in the brain that contain the cerebral spinal fluid.
Kabuki Syndrome
Condition
Kabuki syndrome is a rare congenital disorder.
Kawasaki Disease
Condition
Kawasaki disease is a childhood illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in many areas of the body. Learn more from Boston Children’s Hospital.
Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome
Condition
Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a rare congenital vascular anomaly that results in your child having a large number of abnormal blood vessels.
Low-Grade Gliomas
Condition
Low-grade gliomas are brain tumors that originate from glial cells, which support and nourish neurons in the brain.
Macrodactyly
Condition
Macrodactyly is an uncommon condition in which a baby's toes or fingers are abnormally large due to the overgrowth of the underlying bone and soft tissue.
Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor
Condition
A malignant rhabdoid tumor is a rare childhood tumor that commonly starts in the kidneys but also can occur in other soft tissues or in the brain.
Medulloblastoma
Condition
A medulloblastoma is a brain tumor located in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls complex motor functions.
Meningioma
Condition
Meningioma is a slow-growing and usually non-cancerous tumor that originates in the meninges, the membrane layer covering the brain and spinal cord.
Metopic Synostosis (Trigonocephaly)
Condition
Metopic synostosis (trigonocephaly or metopic suture craniosynostosis) is a type of craniosynostosis, when a developing infant’s skull fuses too early.
Moyamoya Disease
Condition
Moyamoya is a rare condition in which the blood vessels (internal carotid arteries) that supply blood to the brain become narrowed.
Neck Masses (Cysts and Sinuses of the Head and Neck)
Condition
Neck masses are rarely cancerous. The majority are benign enlarged lymph nodes caused by infection or inflammation. Learn more from Boston Children's Hospital.
Learn more about Neck Masses (Cysts and Sinuses of the Head and Neck)
Nervous System Disorders
Condition
Nervous system disorders can involve a range of conditions that may be chronic or may be triggered by secondary factors.
Neurofibrosarcoma
Condition
Neurofibrosarcomas (peripheral nerve sheath tumors) are malignant tumors that form in the soft tissues surrounding the peripheral nerves.
Neurogenic Bladder
Condition
Neurogenic bladder is a urinary tract dysfunction in which the bladder doesn’t empty, properly due to a neurological condition or spinal cord injury.
Oligodendroglioma
Condition
Oligodendrogliomas are low-grade gliomas, a type of brain tumor, that arise from a type of cell called an oligodendrocyte.
Optic Nerve Glioma (Optic Pathway Glioma)
Condition
An optic nerve glioma (also called an optic pathway glioma) is a slow-growing brain tumor that arises in or around the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.
Os Odontoideum
Condition
Os odontoideum happens when a separation occurs at the top of the spine.
Osteoblastoma
Condition
Osteoblastoma is a benign, bone-forming tumor that’s most often found in the lower vertebrae of the spine or long bones of the lower extremity.
PHACE Syndrome
Condition
PHACE is an associated collection of disorders characterized by a large infantile hemangioma on a child's face, scalp, and neck
Pediatric and Childhood Cancers
Condition
While childhood cancer is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring intensive treatment, the majority of pediatric cancers are treatable.
Periventricular Leukomalacia
Condition
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a type of brain injury most common in very premature babies.
Pfeiffer Syndrome
Condition
Pfeiffer syndrome is a complex genetic disorder in which certain bones in the skull fuse early in their development. Learn more from Boston Children's.
Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Condition
A pilocytic astrocytoma is a brain tumor that originates from star-shaped cells called astrocytes.
Plagiocephaly
Condition
Plagiocephaly (also called deformational plagiocephaly or positional plagiocephaly) causes a baby’s head to have a flattened appearance.
Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma
Condition
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare, benign brain tumor that likely arises from cells in the nervous system that make up the supportive network for the brain.
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET)
Condition
Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) and pineoblastoma are a group of tumors defined by their appearance and are thought to develop from primitive (undeveloped) nerve cells in the brain.
Retinoblastoma
Condition
Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood cancer of the eye. It arises from the retina.
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Condition
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that grows in the body's soft tissues.
Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome
Condition
Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by the premature fusion of certain skull bones, which prevents the skull from growing normally and affects the shape of the head and face.
Schwannoma (Neurilemoma)
Condition
Schwannoma (also called neurilemoma) is a benign tumor that can arise from any nerve in the body, but tends to favor certain nerves located in the head and neck
Skeletal Dysplasia
Condition
Skeletal dysplasia is a category of rare genetic disorders that cause abnormal development of a baby’s bones, joints, and cartilage.
Spina Bifida
Condition
Spina bifida occurs when the brain, spinal cord, or the membranes that cover them (meninges) do not completely develop.
Spinal Cord Injury
Condition
A spinal cord injury is any damage to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma, rather than a birth defect or medical condition.
Spinal Fracture
Condition
A spinal cord fracture is a break to the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar vertebrae.
Tectal Gliomas
Condition
A tectal glioma is a low-grade, slow-growing brain tumor in the tectum, the roof of the brain stem.
Teratoma
Condition
A teratoma is a congenital (present prior to birth) tumor formed by different types of tissue.
Tethered Spinal Cord
Condition
A tethered spinal cord occurs when the spinal cord is attached to tissue around the spine, most commonly at the base.
Thalamic Astrocytoma and Hypothalamic Astrocytoma
Condition
Thalamic and hypothalamic astrocytomas are tumors that develop in the brain’s glial or supportive tissues. Learn more from Boston Children's Hospital.
Learn more about Thalamic Astrocytoma and Hypothalamic Astrocytoma
Toxoplasmosis
Condition
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite, and it's usually acquired by the parasite getting into the body by the mouth.
Vascular Malformations, Tumors, and Hemangiomas
Condition
Vascular malformations are benign (non-cancerous) lesions that are present at birth, but may not become visible until weeks or months later.
Learn more about Vascular Malformations, Tumors, and Hemangiomas
Vein of Galen Malformation (VOGM)
Condition
A vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is a type of rare blood vessel abnormality inside the brain.
Venous Malformation
Condition
A venous malformation (VM) is a bluish lesion caused by widened, abnormally shaped veins.
Ventriculomegaly
Condition
Ventriculomegaly is a condition in which the ventricles appear larger than normal on a prenatal ultrasound.