Department of Pediatric Neurology, Epileptology and Early Neurological Rehabilitation - Hospital Kassel

About the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Epileptology and Early Neurological Rehabilitation at Hospital Kassel

The Department of Pediatric Neurology, Epileptology and Early Neurological Rehabilitation at the Hospital Kassel offers the full range of top-class medical services in the areas of its specialization. The department has been carrying out its successful clinical activities since 1974, and therefore it has a wealth of experience in the diagnostics and treatment of neurological disorders in children between the ages of 0 and 18 years. The focus is on the treatment of diseases of the brain and spinal cord, epilepsy, developmental delays and disorders, as well as on the treatment of muscle diseases. In addition, the ​​competence of the department's specialists includes phase B early neurological rehabilitation for children after severe diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nervous system. Medical care is provided both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The clinical work of the department's specialists is certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO standards. Thus, young patients and their parents can count on the effective treatment of neurological disorders in accordance with the very latest medical standards. Great attention is paid to making the child feel as comfortable as possible throughout the entire therapeutic process and not to be afraid of the upcoming treatment. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Bernd Wilken.

When a child is admitted to the department, a neurologist holds a consultation, during which he talks with the young patient and his parents, studies the child's medical history and, if necessary, carries out a clinical examination. The next stage of the therapeutic process is comprehensive diagnostics, which is completed using state-of-the-art medical equipment. The department's therapeutic options include video EEG monitoring, neurophysiological tests (recording of evoked potentials, neurography, myography, magnetic stimulation), ultrasound, CT and MRI scanning, laboratory tests, audiological and ophthalmological tests, etc. The department's experienced psychologists also work with the children. They use various methods and tests to assess the child's cognitive skills, memory, attention, perception, speech, etc. Based on the comprehensive diagnostic data obtained, the attending physician elaborates the optimal treatment regimen. Whenever required, the specialists from related medical disciplines, including neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and other doctors, are involved in the therapeutic process. If a young patient requires neurological rehabilitation, neurologists and rehabilitation therapists cooperatively determine the particular goals of the rehabilitation program, for example, restoration of movement skills, speech restoration, social reintegration of the child, and appoint the necessary rehabilitation measures, which will help the young patient get rid of the consequences of a neurological disorder or injury.

The department specializes in conservative treatment of diseases of the nervous system in children. Should surgery be required, the doctors from the Department of Neurosurgery will be involved in the treatment process. The pediatric neurologists use highly effective drugs of the very latest generation, which help relieve pain and eliminate the symptoms of pathology, returning the child to normal life. Botulinum toxin injections are successfully used to treat spasticity. In the case of early neurological rehabilitation, the child receives care from the whole team of doctors, consisting of physiotherapists, ergotherapists, speech therapists, psychologists and art therapists. The department's medical team welcomes the participation of the parents in the therapeutic process, since the support of loved ones helps the child to tolerate the treatment more easily. The presence of one of the parents is especially important during neurological rehabilitation. The parents can not only motivate the child to achieve good results in rehabilitation treatment, but also gain invaluable knowledge on further care for the child at home.

The department's specialization includes:

• Diagnostics and treatment of the following neurological disorders:
  • Epilepsy
  • Headaches
  • Movement disorders
  • Brain tumors
  • Muscle diseases
  • Developmental delay and developmental disorders
  • Genetic diseases affecting the nervous system
  • Sleep disorders
  • Metabolic disorders
• Phase B early rehabilitation for children with the following neurological disorders and injuries:
  • Acquired brain injuries caused by an accident, inflammatory brain diseases, cerebral hypoxia, cancers accompanied by damage to the nervous system, intracerebral hemorrhage and vascular brain lesions
  • Congenital diseases of the nervous system 
  • Epilepsy
  • Diseases of the peripheral nervous system 
  • Apallic syndrome (unresponsive wakefulness syndrome)
• Other disorders and pathological lesions of the nervous system

The department's range of medical services includes:

• Diagnostics
  • Laboratory tests
  • Video EEG monitoring
  • Neurophysiological examinations
    • Recording of evoked potentials
    • Neurography
    • Myography
    • Magnetic stimulation for the functional diagnostics of the nervous system
  • Imaging tests
    • Ultrasound scanning 
    • Computed tomography
    • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Polysomnography for sleep assessment
  • Assessment of cognitive and speech functions in a child
• Treatment
  • Drug therapy using modern medicines
  • Botulinum toxin injections for spasticity treatment
  • Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy treatment
• Phase B early neurological rehabilitation
  • Physiotherapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Ergotherapy
  • Curative education
  • Music therapy
  • Pet therapy
  • Psychological support for a young patient and his parents
• Other diagnostic and therapeutic services