Division of Diagnostic Imaging

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

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.

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.

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 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.

This section of the Diagnostic Imaging Division is dedicated exclusively to comprehensive, detailed cardiovascular imaging, including CT and MRI.

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.

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.)