Hypothalamic Hamartoma

Hypothalamic hamartomas are rare benign tumors in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates the body’s internal balance or homeostasis. These tumors are present at birth, and usually are discovered later in childhood, often during an evaluation for epilepsy. Symptoms include seizures, early puberty and behavioral problems. If your child has been diagnosed with a hypothalamic hamartoma, we'll devote all our expertise to helping them heal.

Within the AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute network, we specialize in minimally invasive treatments that use laser technology to remove hypothalamic hamartomas or reduce their size. These advanced techniques often minimize damage to surrounding tissue and result in less scarring and pain. Using image-guided stereotactic neurosurgery, our surgeons can view 3D images of hypothalamic hamartomas during surgery, helping them to remove more of the tumor and stop the seizures it often triggers. Recovery is quicker, because no incision is made.