Neurosurgery

Our Experience, Expertise and Access to Leading-edge Technology Allow us to Provide the Most Advanced, Minimally Invasive Care

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Helps Girl with Cerebral Palsy Walk

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Neurosurgery

From the most complex brain and spinal disorders requiring the most challenging interventions to more common conditions and procedures, our expert team of pediatric neurosurgeons and neurosurgery nurse practitioners offers the complete spectrum of multidisciplinary care.

US News and World Report for Neurosurgery

Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

New Patients

Now you can schedule appointments and second opinions online with a provider, time and location that is most convenient, or call (614) 722-6200.

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Existing Patients

If your child is already a patient within Neurosurgery, you can schedule follow-up appointments right in MyChart or call (614) 722-6200.

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Online Second Opinion

We offer online second opinions for select specialties, providing families with valuable feedback on their child’s current diagnosis, treatment plan and clinical trial options.

Online Second Opinion

Referring Physicians

We're one team. Our physician resources make referring your patients to our experts fast, seamless and ensures the highest quality of care.

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Can't Find What You're Looking For?

If you are unable to schedule your next appointment through MyChart, fill out our online Request an Appointment form and a member of our scheduling team will be happy to assist you.

In close collaboration with Nationwide Children’s Level-I pediatric trauma center, nationally-ranked Neurology and Neuro-Oncology servicesCraniofacial Center, and nationally-accredited Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, we care for patients from birth to age 21, and select adults with congenital neurological disorders. We provide initial consultation, surgery, post-operative care and rehabilitation. 

State-of-the-Art Equipment

Our neurosurgeons operate in the region’s most state-of-the-art pediatric operating rooms. The facility is equipped with intraoperative MRI, and other advanced neurosurgical equipment. These advanced technologies can reduce the need for multiple surgeries, allow minimally invasive procedures whenever possible, minimize pain, and promote faster recovery. 

Lowering Surgical Site Infections

Nationwide Children’s Section of Neurosurgery has one of the lowest surgical site infection rates in the nation. Learn more.

An Innovative Patient-Centered Approach to Neurosurgery

Through innovations, such as mathematical modeling of EEG changes in epilepsy, and leading-edge surgical technologies and techniques, neurosurgeons at Nationwide Children’s are advancing the field while raising the bar on patient care.

Young boy in hospital bed

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Program

The Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is offered to patients from around the country experiencing spasticity – a condition that causes stiff, tight muscles that can’t be controlled because of a problem with the signals the brain sends (or doesn’t send) to the nerves. 

Young Girl Smiling in Hospital Bed

Epilepsy Surgery

Surgical Epilepsy services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital involves an array of multidisciplinary specialists to care for the clinical, surgical and psychosocial needs of children with difficult to control epilepsy.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Photo

Center for Complex Craniofacial Disorders

Whether your child is diagnosed with jaw abnormalities, facial trauma, craniosynostosis, plagiocephaly or Pierre Robin syndrome, our center offers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to care, provided by experts who understand how children grow and heal.

Our neurosurgeons collaborate with Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant and many others to promote positive outcomes for neurosurgical patients from birth to age 21, and for selected adults with congenital neurological disorders. Our surgeons value collaborative relationships with primary care physicians and believe in maintaining communication to support ongoing patient care. 

Featured Doctors

Nationwide Children's Hospital Medical Professional

Jeffrey R. Leonard

Jeffrey R. Leonard, MD is the Chief of Neurosurgery and the Surgical Director of the Neuro-Oncology Program. 

Physician Referrals: Rapid Access

Schedule appointments for patients within just a few days for non-emergent cases and within 24 hours for urgent cases.

Call 1-877-722-6220 and one of our world-class pediatric neurosurgeons will see your patient right away—within 24 hours for urgent cases. 

Rapid Access and Appointment Scheduling

Neurosurgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers rapid scheduling for clinic appointments and operations.

Neurosurgery Clinic- Nationwide Children's Hospital Main Campus
Outpatient Care Center, Suite 6E


Outpatient Care Center555 South 18th Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
Phone: (614) 722-2010
Fax: (614) 722-4000
Park in the Orange Garage



Surgery Location

Main Operating Room (Inpatient & Outpatient)

Blue Parking GarageNationwide Children's Hospital Main Campus
635 Children's Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2000
Park in Hospital Blue Parking Garage

Conditions We Treat

  • Aneurysms
  • Arachnoid Cyst
  • Arterial Malformation
  • Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF)
  • Atretic Encephalocele
  • Brachial Plexus Injury
  • Brachycephaly
  • Brain Cyst
  • Brain Mass
  • Brain Trauma
  • Brain Tumors
  • Cavernous Angiomas
  • Cerebellar Cyst
  • Cerebellar Ectopia
  • Cerebellar Tumor
  • Chiari Malformations
  • Choroid Plexus Cyst
  • Colloid Cyst
  • Congenital Abnormality of the Skull
  • Craniopharyngioma in Children
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Cutis Aplasia
  • Dandy-Walker Malformation
  • Delayed Fontanel Closure
  • Dermal Sinus Tract
  • Dermoid Cyst
  • Disc Herniation
  • Dolichocephaly
  • Encephalocele
  • Epidermoid Cyst
  • Epidural Hematoma
  • Epilepsy
  • Fatty Filum Terminale
  • Fibrous Dysplasia
  • Hematoma
  • Hemivertebra
  • Hydromyelia
  • Hypothalamic Hamartoma
  • Increased Head Circumference
  • Intraventricular Cyst
  • Lipomyelomeningocele
  • Macroadenoma
  • Macrocephaly
  • Macrocrania
  • Meningocele
  • Microadenoma
  • Moyamoya
  • Myelomeningocele
  • Nasal Dermoid
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Neurological Birth Defects
  • Neurological Trauma
  • Neurovascular Disease
  • Parietal Foramina
  • Pediatric Disc Disease
  • Peripheral Nerve Injury
  • Persistent Fontanel
  • Pineal Cyst
  • Pineal Tumor
  • Pituitary Disease
  • Plagiocephaly
  • Positional Plagiocephaly (Flattened Head)
  • Premature Fontanel Closure
  • Rathke's Cleft Cyst
  • Sacral Dimple
  • Scalp Mass
  • Scalp Tumor
  • Scaphocephaly
  • Seizures (When Surgical)
  • Sinus Pericranii
  • Skull Fracture
  • Skull Lesion
  • Skull Tumor
  • Small Fontanel
  • Spasticity
  • Spina Bifida Occulta
  • Spinal Abnormalities
  • Spinal Disc Disease
  • Spinal Disorders
  • Spinal Fracture
  • Spinal Lipoma
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spinal Trauma
  • Spinal Tumor
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
  • Subdural Hematoma
  • Syringomyelia
  • Syrinx
  • Tethered Cord
  • Tethered Spinal Cord
  • Trauma
  • Trigonocephaly
  • Tuberous Sclerosis
  • Vascular Disease
  • Vein of Galen Malformation (VOGM)
  • Venous Malformation
  • Ventriculomegaly
  • Von Hippel Lindau Disease (VHL)
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Neurosurgery Research

Blake
Patient Story

Meet our Patients

Blake was born with myelomeningocele, the most common and severe type of spina bifida. Spina bifida is a neurological condition that can cause a portion of the spinal cord and the surrounding structures to develop outside, instead of inside, the body.