The Neurosurgery clinic helps by consulting in the assessment, management, treatment (medical and surgical), and follow up of patients with injuries or disorders that affect the nervous system, the brain, the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the cerebrovascular system. We see children and youth from newborn 16 years old.
How we help
Typical surgeries include cerebral bleeds, brain tumours, spinal cord injuries, and VP shunts. Medical conditions include hydrocephalus, brain or spinal injuries, and neural tube defects. Neurosurgery is part of a multidisciplinary team that also provides care for the Spina Bifida and Craniofacial populations.
Our Neurosurgeons work closely with different specialties to provide the best approach to disease or trauma management. For example, the Oncology Service for the management and treatment of brain tumours and the Critical Care team in the management and treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries. They also work together with Neurology to treat patients with epilepsy who fit criteria for epilepsy surgery.
What to expect
A consult is received by the Neurosurgeon from the family doctor or pediatrician. The Neurosurgeon will review the consult and determine the timeline for an appointment. The booking clerk from Shared Clinics will notify the patient/family with an upcoming appointment date and time by phone and/or mail. If you’re unable to keep this appointment, please call the office to reschedule (902-470-8043).
On the day of your appointment, please arrive in the Shared Clinics area located on the first floor of the Children’s building . You will need to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment for registration, and please allow extra time for parking. You must bring the child’s health card, a list of medications (drugs) that your child takes, and any toys or books that will entertain your child. We make every effort to see your child at the designated time, but unfortunately things can happen that might delay you in seeing the doctor.
The Neurosurgeon may arrange for you to have some diagnostic testing done before your appointment. These tests may include MRIs, CT scans, and x-rays. Every effort is made to coordinate these tests on the same day. If testing is needed, you'll be notified by the booking clerk.
Upon arrival in Shared Clinics, please take a number and listen for your number to be called for registration. The Neurosurgery nurse will call your name when the physician is ready to see you and place you in an examining room. The nurse will meet with you before the physician to obtain an appropriate nursing assessment.
The IWK is a teaching hospital, so your visit may include meeting with medical clerks (students), residents (physicians training to be a surgeon), surgical fellows (surgeons doing a subspecialty (Neurosurgery), or nursing students. Of course, you'll see your attending Neurosurgeon at every visit.