Brain and spinal cord tumors are abnormal growths of cells in the brain or spinal cord. These tumors can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Even if a tumor is benign, however, it can still cause issues if it begins to grow and crowd the space occupied by the spinal cord or brain.

Chiari 1 (CM1) occurs when the cerebellar tonsils descend into the spinal canal. Many children have no symptoms and are diagnosed incidentally. When symptoms occur—typically in teens—they can include headaches, balance problems, numbness, vision changes, breathing issues, scoliosis, or bowel/bladder changes. Infants may have trouble swallowing, irritability, or breathing problems. Symptomatic children may require surgery to relieve pressure and restore cerebrospinal fluid flow.

Craniosynostosis occurs when one or more sutures—the natural openings in the skull that allow the brain and skull to grow—close prematurely. This results in compensatory growth along the remaining open sutures and restricted growth along the fused suture, leading to an abnormal head shape. In some children, craniosynostosis may also be associated with increased intracranial pressure. Certain cases are linked to genetic syndromes and may involve multiple sutures or additional medical conditions.