Division of Diagnostic Imaging
The Division of Diagnostic Imaging at Sheba Medical Center is the largest unit of its kind in Israel, performing approximately 420,000 imaging procedures annually. Our skilled team of experts offers a complete range of testing and treatment procedures, using the latest state-of-the-art technologies, safely and efficiently. More than 35 certified radiologists provide professional, personalized care for patients of all ages.
This unit is affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, and comprises several clinical departments, as well as a research sector.
Diagnostic Imaging at the Acute Care Hospital
The Division of Diagnostic Imaging is part of the Acute Care Hospital, a modern center dedicated to providing patients with the most advanced healthcare possible.
The Acute Care Hospital houses the following divisions:
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Division of Hematology
- Division of Internal Medicine
- Division of Surgery
- Laboratory Division
Our Specialty Clinics & Imaging Technologies
Neuro-Radiology Service
The Neuro-Radiology Unit at Sheba works with a variety of imaging methods, including basic radiography (X-rays), computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our specialists provide preoperative stereotactic and neurosurgical planning. We are also actively involved in research for clinical trials, assessing new therapies for brain diseases.
We offer the following routine and advanced diagnostic imaging:
- Urgent CT scans for patients with head and spinal trauma
- Routine head exams to rule out intracranial events, such as hemorrhages and stroke
- Detection and follow-up of brain tumors
- Spinal column studies
- Pediatric scans under general anesthesia
- Fetal brain MR imaging
- Vascular studies (CT and MR angiography)
- MR spectroscopy to measure the chemical elements in a portion of the brain
- Functional MR to study focal activity in response to brain function (often used for epilepsy patients)
- Fluoroscopy-guided procedures, such as myelography and cisternography
Neuro-Interventional Service
Our highly skilled team consists of an interventional neuroradiologist, anesthesiologist, nurses and technicians. Patients are assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at our clinic. We provide procedures in collaboration with the admitting departments and the intensive care units for post-procedural management.
Services include:
- Cerebral angiograms – We use cutting-edge equipment, such as the biplane fluoroscopy system by Siemens, specially designed for cerebral angiograms. This technology can create 3D reconstructions of the angiograms, incorporate CT images, and manage navigational angiograms that can be digitally transferred to the operating rooms or radiation facilities for planning treatments. The images are then sent to PACS (picture archiving and communication system) and made available for viewing by all our medical teams.
- Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysm – Aneurysm coiling is used.
- Intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) – Treatment options for AVM include surgical removal, radiosurgery, and embolization.
- Cerebrovascular accident (CVA, stroke) – In recent years, stroke treatment has progressed extensively and we implement the latest techniques, such as TPA for endoluminal thrombolysis. Generally, we use MR to evaluate stroke precisely.
- Devascularization of brain tumors – Vascularization of tumors in the brain, head, and neck region is common, putting the patient at high risk for excessive hemorrhage during surgical removal of the tumor. To minimize the risk, we perform preoperative tumor embolization or devascularization.
- Spinal cord vascular malformation – A heterogeneous group of blood vessel disorders can affect the spinal cord, such as arteriovenous malformations (AVM), dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), spinal hemangiomas, cavernous angiomas, and aneurysms. We perform accurate, quick diagnoses of these vascular malformations to prevent further complications.
Interventional Radiology Service
Senior specialists provide all procedures in this section of the Diagnostic Imaging Division, caring for a wide population of patients who need diagnosis or treatment with the aid of guided interventional procedures, including vascular, urological, oncological, trauma and emergency room cases. We offer a wide range of therapeutic procedures to replace many complex, dangerous surgeries. Using guided imaging, we place catheters, balloons, and stents into the blood vessels to open occluded or narrowed arteries or veins in all parts of the body. One notable procedure that we perform is the use of catheterization to repair arterial aneurysms, instead of using a large thoracic or abdominal surgery.
Our Interventional Radiology Service participates in many international multi-institutional projects, including the EUROSTAR (aortic-stent-grafts follow-up), and clinical trials for new vascular stents and breakthrough endovascular devices.
Oncological Imaging and Cross-Sectional Imaging Service
In this unit, we conduct thoracic, abdominal, trauma, and skeletal imaging.
- CT angiography is used for thoracic imaging to detect vascular conditions, such as aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and pulmonary embolism.
- Scanning of the abdomen and pelvis is used to evaluate acute and chronic pain, tumor staging, assessment of response to treatment, diagnosis of fevers of unknown origin, abdominal abscesses, abnormalities of the genitourinary tract, digestive tract, and retroperitoneum. We also offer virtual colonoscopy.
- Rapid total body scanning is done in cases of acute trauma and for follow-up of previous injuries.
- Skeletal imaging is used to evaluate a wide variety of orthopedic conditions.
Pediatric Imaging Unit
Pediatric specialists comprise this unit’s team, located adjacent to the Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine in the Safra Children’s Hospital at Sheba. We perform all types of imaging, including X-rays, ultrasound, and fluoroscopy on infants and children.
Cardiovascular Imaging Unit: Cardiac MRI & Cardiac CT
This section of the Diagnostic Imaging Division is dedicated exclusively to comprehensive, detailed cardiovascular imaging, including CT and MRI.
Musculoskeletal Imaging Unit
Using state-of-the-art CT scanners (Philips, GE) and MRI scanners (Tesla, GE), we work in conjunction with Sheba’s orthopedic experts, providing precise imaging of the bony skeleton and muscles, as well as surrounding soft tissues. A range of advanced technologies are employed in this department, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, CT and MR arthrograms for intra-articular imaging, CT-guided biopsies of bone and soft tissue lesions, CT guided radio-frequency treatment for bone lesions, and pain treatment for sacroiliitis.
Ultrasound Unit
A wide range of ultrasound procedures is offered, including:
- Abdomen
- Kidneys and urinary tract (including prostate)
- Abdominal wall
- Small organs (thyroid, scrotum)
- Penis
- Orthopedic (shoulder, knee, etc.)
- CDH/DDH
- Soft tissue
- Doppler/duplex (carotid, renal, DVT)
- Doppler – pseudoaneurysm, AVF, TIPPS
- Invasive: FNA (thyroid nodule, etc.)
- Core biopsies (liver, etc.)
- Diagnostic fluid puncture
- Drainage (abscess, etc.)
Meet the Director
Eli Konen, MD, MHA
Head of the Diagnostic Imaging Division
Prof. Konen received his medical degree in 1987 from the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. He completed his residency in diagnostic imaging at Sheba Medical Center, and he accomplished two clinical fellowships in thoracic imaging and cardiac MRI at Toronto General Hospital, Canada. Prof. Konen established the first cardiac MRI service in Israel in 2003, which developed into the largest multidisciplinary cardiac imaging unit in the country. He also completed an MA in Health Administration at the Recanati School of Business Administration, Tel Aviv University. From 2012-2016, Prof. Konen served as Head of the Imaging Department at the Sackler School of Medicine. Since 2018, he has been the Head of the Diagnostic Imaging Division at Sheba and involved in several projects investigating computerized medical image analysis, establishing the first CILAB (Computational Imaging Laboratory) in Israel.
Holistic Approach to Healing
At Sheba, we are dedicated to treating the whole person – not just the sickness. Our focus is on your quality of life throughout and following your medical treatment. Precise diagnostics are necessary to gather as much information as possible about your health, which enables us to provide personalized therapies. In line with this approach, we pay attention to all of your symptoms, designing a plan for diagnostic imaging that addresses your overall condition. All of our diagnostic and treatment services are provided conveniently on campus, thereby promoting the smoothest, most efficient healthcare experience for each patient.