Introduction
The paediatric neurology department is a centre of excellence and tertiary referral centre. Outreach clinics are held in many of the 20 district general hospitals that we serve. Inpatients are admitted to RMCH.
The department has close links with child psychiatry, psychology, neurosurgery, metabolic medicine, clinical genetics and paediatric intensive care.
Services in paediatric neurology
We look after a range of paediatric neurology conditions and specialise in particular areas of interest.
The department is one of the 4 centres in England chosen to provide a service for children’s epilepsy surgery. This is run jointly with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital (jointly called NorCESS) with all the under 5’s being operated on in Manchester.
More information on our neuromuscular services can be found here.
More information on our neurosurgery service can be found here.
Inherited white matter disorders (IWMDs)
What is an IWMD?
Inherited White Matter Disorders (also known as leukodystrophies) are genetic disorders that primarily affect the white matter of the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves). Many, but not all, IWMDs are progressive diseases where there is increasing neurological impairment affecting mobility, speech, feeding, vision and hearing and cognitive skills. For some disorders this may result in a limited or reduced life span.
There are many different IWMDs and how someone is affected depends on the cause of the white matter disease. IWMDs affect males and females of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
What is the IWMD service?
The Inherited White Matter Disorders (IWMD) Diagnostic and Management Service is a formally commissioned highly specialised service. There are 6 centres across England, 3 for adults and 3 for children.
We have partnered with colleagues at Leeds Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to provide a high-quality service with lots of experience. Referrals are accepted from tertiary neurology, metabolic or clinical genetics services, secondary care services, or other specialised services. Referrals are accepted where there is suspect or confirmed rare IWMD and the patient meets the inclusion criteria outlined in the national specification.
The aim of the service is to provide advice and guidance to local hospitals in the diagnosis and management of children with suspect or a confirmed IWMD. In the majority of cases, the patient will attend local services for tests and scans. In some cases, a patient will be supported to attend a clinic at either Manchester or Leeds for review by a specialist team.
The specialist team includes consultants in neurology, metabolics, clinical genetics, neuroradiology, as well as a neurology nurse and neuropsychologist. Each have experience with diagnosing and managing patients with IWMDs in a large number of cases.
How can I contact the service?
Patients, parents and carers will be provided contact details of a named nurse with specialist expertise in IWMDs.
Professionals may refer by email to leedsth-tr.north-iwmd@nhs.net
Where can children and families find more support?
The Alex TLC has a mission to:
- Provide support for those living with leukodystrophy, and their families/carers
- Raise awareness of leukodystrophy
- Improve best practice in prevention, diagnosis & treatment
- Support research initiatives
They can be contacted via http://www.alextlc.org
Epilepsy: inc epilepsy surgery and ketogenic diet specialist services
We’re in the process of drafting this section – come back soon!
Acquired brain injury
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Neurovascular
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Tuberous sclerosis
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Neurofibromatosis 1&2
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Neuroimmunology
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Our team
Dr Imelda Hughes – special interest: neuromuscular
Dr Grace Vassallo – special interest: acquired brain injury, neurofibromatosis, neurovascular
Dr Siobhan West – special interest: neuroimmunology, tuberous sclerosis (LTFT – Tues/Wed/Thurs)
Dr Gary McCullagh – special interest: neuromuscular
Dr Jeen Tan – special interest: complex epilepsy (epilepsy surgery, ketogenic diet)
Dr Dipak Ram – special interest: neurovascular, neuroimmunology, neurometabolic
Dr Deivasumathy Muthugovindan (Dr Suma) – special interest: complex epilepsy
Dr Nina Swiderska – special interest: complex epilepsy
Dr Uma Varma – special interest: neuromuscular (LTFT – Mon/Tues/Thurs)
Dr Emily Whitehouse – Paediatric Neuromuscular consultant
Research
Consultants
- Dr Dipak Ram - Consultant Paediatric Neurologist
- Dr Grace Vassallo - Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Clinical Lead for the Complex NF1 service at Saint Mary`s Genomic Centre for Medicine