Division of Neurosurgery Patient Stories

A minimally invasive surgery at CHOP helped Gladys heal from a Chiari malformation and syrinx — allowing her to return home quickly and healthy.

When baby Juna was diagnosed with a condition that causes debilitating seizures, the future seemed unclear. Then her parents found CHOP Neurosurgeon Benjamin Kennedy, MD.

Thanks to functional hemispherotomy surgery at CHOP, Rowan has transformed from having 40 seizures a day to being seizure free and thriving cognitively.

A 9-year-old with epilepsy receives an innovative, life-changing procedure available at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Thanks to brain surgery at CHOP, Bridget went from experiencing daily pain caused by pulsing headaches to being moved up to varsity lacrosse, all in one year.

Broc was 7 years old when he had his first tonic-clonic seizure (also known as a grand mal). He lost consciousness and had violent muscle contractions. It was extremely frightening for his parents, Heather and Dave, to see.

Elana was born with abnormalities of her skull requiring surgery. When her parents came to CHOP, ‘We knew it was going to be OK.’

While Julia’s diagnosis of a brain tumor was a shock to her family, the location and type of tumor meant surgery at CHOP was the only treatment she needed.

There was no “book” Ellen could refer to for medical guidance on her son, Evan, who has a rare genetic mutation.

Devon underwent surgery, chemotherapy and proton therapy for a brain tumor the size of a softball. Within months, she started college and made the Dean’s List.