Related Conditions & Treatments | Boston Children's Hospital

Condition

Achondroplasia

Achondroplasia is a genetic bone disorder, affecting one in 20,000 babies. It is the most common type of dwarfism.

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Treatment

Angiogram

An angiogram is a minimally invasive test that maps the arterior veins in a part of your child's body.

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Condition

Apert Syndrome

Apert syndrome, also known as acrocephalosyndactyly, is a genetic disorder that causes fusion of the skull, hands, and feet bones.

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Condition

Arachnoid Cysts

Arachnoid cysts are sacs filled with spinal fluid that grow in between the brain or spinal cord and the arachnoid membrane that covers them.

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Condition

Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency (AADC Deficiency)

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a rare, inherited disorder that affects the nervous system and can cause a variety of neurological symptoms.

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Condition

Arterial Dissection

An arterial dissection is a tear along the inside lining of an artery and can occur in a child's head, neck, or spine.

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Condition

Arteriovenous Fistulas

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare abnormalities in which arteries connect directly with veins, bypassing the capillaries. They can occur anywhere in the body.

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Condition

Arteriovenous Malformations

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangle of arteries and veins in the brain that disrupt the normal flow of blood.

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Condition

Astrocytoma

Astrocytomas are tumors that arise in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination.

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Condition

Atlantoaxial Instability

Atlantoaxial instability is a condition of too much mobility in the neck that can lead to spinal cord compression.

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Condition

ATRT

An atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a very rare, aggressive tumor of the central nervous system.

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Treatment

Baclofen Pump

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.

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Condition

Basilar Invagination

Basilar invagination is a rare condition in which the top of the spine compresses the brain stem.

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Condition

Birth Defects and Congenital Anomalies

A birth defect is a health problem or a physical abnormality.

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Condition

Bowlegs

Bowlegs (genu varum) is a condition in which a child’s legs curve outward at the knees.

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Condition

Brain Abscess

A brain abscess is a brain infection that may cause problems with a child's brain and spinal cord function.

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Condition

Brain Aneurysms

A brain aneurysm is a weak point in a blood vessel within the brain.

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Treatment

Brain PET

A brain PET/CT scan is a safe, effective, and non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique that provides highly detailed images of the brain.

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Treatment

Brain Scan

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...

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Condition

Brain Tumors

Childhood brain tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), but both types can be life-threatening.

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Condition

Capillary Malformation

A capillary malformation, or port-wine birthmark, is a kind of birthmark.

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Condition

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect muscle tone, posture, and movement as a result of damage to the brain of an infant.

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Condition

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but serious condition that is a cause of stroke in children and newborns.

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Condition

Cervical Teratoma

A cervical teratoma is a very rare congenital tumor in the neck.

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Condition

Chiari Malformation

Chiari malformation is an abnormality in the back of the head where the brain and spinal cord meet.

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Condition

Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that typically develops in the cartilage that coats the ends of bones and forms joints.

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Condition

Choroid Plexus Brain Tumor

Choroid plexus brain tumors develop in the tissue located in the spaces of the brain called ventricles.

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Condition

CLOVES Syndrome

CLOVES syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by vascular anomalies and other problems.

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Condition

Craniofacial Anomalies

Craniofacial anomalies are deformities that affect a child’s head and facial bones.

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Condition

Craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngioma is a childhood brain tumor.

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Condition

Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the fibrous connections grow together (fuse) too early.

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Condition

Crouzon Syndrome

Crouzon syndrome is a complex genetic birth disorder that may affect a child’s face, skull, and teeth.

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Condition

Cushing's Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is the overproduction of corticosteroids.

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Treatment

Deep Brain Stimulation

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.

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Condition

Desmoid Tumor

Desmoid tumors are thought to develop from the fibrous tissue that forms tendons and ligaments.

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Condition

DNET

A dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) is a low-grade, slow-growing brain tumor.

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Treatment

Embolization

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.

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Condition

Encephaloceles

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.

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Treatment

Endoscopic Strip Craniectomy

Endoscopic strip craniectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to treat craniosynostosis.

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Treatment

Endovenous Laser Ablation

Endovenous laser ablation is a minimally invasive technique used for treating some types of vascular malformations.

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Condition

Ependymoma

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).

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Condition

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a complex condition that makes a child susceptible to seizures.

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Condition

Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular tumor or anomaly that arises from the cells lining the blood vessels.

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Treatment

Fetal Surgery

Fetal surgery is the surgical treatment of a fetus with certain life-threatening congenital abnormalities.

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Condition

Fibrosarcoma

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...

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Condition

Ganglioglioma

A ganglioglioma is low-grade tumor of mixed cell type.

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Condition

Genetic Disorders

Genetic disorders include certain types of birth defects, chronic diseases, developmental problems, and sensory deficits that are inherited from one or both parents.

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Condition

Germ Cell Brain Tumors

Germ cell tumors of the brain develop from germ cells — the cells that later become sperm in the testicles or eggs in the ovaries.

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Condition

Germinoma

A germinoma is a type of germ cell tumor that is most often found in the brain.

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Condition

Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiformes (GBMs) are high-grade gliomas that arise from the brain’s supportive tissue (glial cells).

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Condition

Glioma

A glioma is a kind of brain tumor that originates from glial cells, which support and nourish neurons in the brain.

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Condition

Gliomatosis Cerebri

Gliomatosis cerebri is a highly aggressive, rare form of malignant astrocytic tumor.

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Condition

Head or Brain Injury

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.

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Condition

Hemangioma

A hemangioma is a type of benign tumor in infants.

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Condition

Hemangiopericytoma

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.

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Condition

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is extra fluid in or around the brain.

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Condition

Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is bleeding inside or around the ventricles — spaces in the brain that contain the cerebral spinal fluid.

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Condition

Kabuki Syndrome

Kabuki syndrome is a rare congenital disorder.

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Condition

Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is a childhood illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in many areas of the body.

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Treatment

KEBILIDI

KEBILIDI™ (eladocagene exuparvovec-tneq) is a gene therapy for AADC deficiency. It enables brain cells to make a working AADC protein needed for motor function.

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Condition

KIF1A-Associated Neurological Disorder (KAND)

KIF1A-associated neurological disorder (KAND) is a set of genetic conditions caused by variants in the KIF1A gene.

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Condition

Klippel-Feil Syndrome

Klippel-Feil syndrome is a rare spinal condition characterized by a short neck, low hairline, and limited neck mobility.

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Condition

Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a rare congenital vascular anomaly that results in your child having a large number of abnormal blood vessels.

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Treatment

Laser Ablation

Laser ablation surgery is used to remove tumors or diseased brain tissue that is too deep inside the brain to safely access with usual neurosurgical methods.

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Condition

Low-Grade Gliomas

Low-grade gliomas are brain tumors that originate from glial cells, which support and nourish neurons in the brain.

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Condition

Macrodactyly

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.

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Condition

Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor

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.

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Condition

Medulloblastoma

A medulloblastoma is a brain tumor located in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls complex motor functions.

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Condition

Meningioma

Meningioma is a slow-growing and usually non-cancerous tumor that originates in the meninges, the membrane layer covering the brain and spinal cord.

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Condition

Metopic Synostosis (Trigonocephaly)

Metopic synostosis (trigonocephaly or metopic suture craniosynostosis) is a type of craniosynostosis, when a developing infant’s skull fuses too early.

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Condition

Movement Disorders

Children with movement disorders have involuntary movements or trouble moving in the way they intend to.

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Condition

Moyamoya Disease

Moyamoya is a rare condition in which the blood vessels (internal carotid arteries) that supply blood to the brain become narrowed.

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Condition

Neck Masses

Neck masses are rarely cancerous. The majority are benign enlarged lymph nodes caused by infection or inflammation.

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Condition

Nervous System Disorders

Nervous system disorders can involve a range of conditions that may be chronic or may be triggered by secondary factors.

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Condition

Neurofibrosarcoma

Neurofibrosarcomas (peripheral nerve sheath tumors) are malignant tumors that form in the soft tissues surrounding the peripheral nerves.

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Condition

Neurogenic Bladder

Neurogenic bladder is a urinary tract dysfunction in which the bladder doesn’t empty, properly due to a neurological condition or spinal cord injury.

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Condition

Oligodendroglioma

Oligodendrogliomas are low-grade gliomas, a type of brain tumor, that arise from a type of cell called an oligodendrocyte.

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Condition

Optic Nerve Glioma

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.

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Condition

Os Odontoideum

Os odontoideum happens when a separation occurs at the top of the spine.

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Condition

Osteoblastoma

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.

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Condition

Pediatric and Childhood Cancers

While childhood cancer is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring intensive treatment, the majority of pediatric cancers are treatable.

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Condition

Peripheral Nerve Injury

Peripheral nerve injuries interfere with signals between the brain and other parts of the body.

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Condition

Periventricular Leukomalacia

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a type of brain injury most common in very premature babies.

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Condition

Pfeiffer Syndrome

Pfeiffer syndrome is a complex genetic disorder in which certain bones in the skull fuse early in their development.

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Condition

PHACE Syndrome

PHACE is an associated collection of disorders characterized by a large infantile hemangioma on a child's face, scalp, and neck

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Treatment

Pial Synangiosis

Pial synangiosis is a type of surgery for moyamoya.

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Condition

Pilocytic Astrocytoma

A pilocytic astrocytoma is a brain tumor that originates from star-shaped cells called astrocytes.

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Condition

Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly (also called deformational plagiocephaly or positional plagiocephaly) causes a baby’s head to have a flattened appearance.

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Condition

Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma

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.

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Condition

Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET)

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.

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Treatment

Radiosurgery

In stereotactic radiosurgery, a neurosurgeon focuses beams of high-energy radiation on a child's tumor or malformation while leaving the nearby tissues unaffected.

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Condition

Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood cancer of the eye. It arises from the retina.

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Condition

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that grows in the body's soft tissues.

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Condition

Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome

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...

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Condition

Schwannoma (Neurilemoma)

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

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Condition

Skeletal Dysplasia

Skeletal dysplasia is a category of rare genetic disorders that cause abnormal development of a baby’s bones, joints, and cartilage.

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Condition

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida occurs when the brain, spinal cord, or the membranes that cover them (meninges) do not completely develop.

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Condition

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury is any damage to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma, rather than a birth defect or medical condition.

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Condition

Spinal Fracture

A spinal cord fracture is a break to the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar vertebrae.

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Treatment

Spinal Tap and Lumbar Puncture

In a spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture, your child’s doctor uses a needle to access her spinal canal and the cerebrospinal fluid that’s found floating in it.

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Condition

Stroke

Stroke is a general term that is used to describe an injury to the brain caused by either bleeding (referred to as hemorrhagic stroke) or a lack of oxygen due...

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Condition

Tectal Gliomas

A tectal glioma is a low-grade, slow-growing brain tumor in the tectum, the roof of the brain stem.

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Condition

Teratoma

A teratoma is a congenital (present prior to birth) tumor formed by different types of tissue.

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Condition

Tethered Spinal Cord

A tethered spinal cord occurs when the spinal cord is attached to tissue around the spine, most commonly at the base.

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Condition

Thalamic Astrocytoma and Hypothalamic Astrocytoma

Thalamic and hypothalamic astrocytomas are tumors that develop in the brain’s glial or supportive tissues.

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Condition

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite, and it's usually acquired by the parasite getting into the body by the mouth.

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Condition

Vascular Malformations

Vascular malformations are benign (non-cancerous) lesions that are present at birth, but may not become visible until weeks or months later.

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Condition

Vein of Galen

A vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is a type of rare blood vessel abnormality inside the brain.

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Condition

Venous Malformation

A venous malformation (VM) is a bluish lesion caused by widened, abnormally shaped veins.

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Condition

Ventriculomegaly

Ventriculomegaly is a condition in which the ventricles appear larger than normal on a prenatal ultrasound.

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