


Spina bifida (cleft spine) Treatment in Istinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir
About the clinic
Spina bifida treatment at Istinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir in Istanbul involves precise neurosurgical repair of spinal defects. Diagnostic options range from around $50 for MRI result revision to $200 for a consultation and treatment plan, while a biopsy may cost around $2,000. This JCI-accredited university hospital uses advanced neuronavigation systems with 1 mm accuracy to protect the spinal cord during surgery.
Diagnostic evaluation and pricing
Before surgery, the medical team performs a detailed assessment to map the spinal defect. The hospital provides several imaging and testing options to prepare for the procedure. Patients typically undergo the following evaluations:
- Revision of MRI results. A second opinion on existing scans may cost around $50–$100.
- Consultation with treatment plan. Meeting a specialist to design the surgery is around $200.
- Brain MRI. Standard imaging is around $400, while a brain MRI with contrast typically runs $900.
- Biopsy. If needed for tissue analysis, this procedure costs around $2,000.
Advanced surgical repair for spina bifida
Neurosurgery for spina bifida focuses on closing the spinal defect and protecting nerve function. The hospital uses a hybrid operating room equipped with an O-Arm CT scanner. This tool provides real-time 3D imaging during the operation. Surgeons use microsurgery techniques and neuronavigation to ensure precision within 1 mm. These tools help minimize the risk of injury to the spinal cord. The neonatology department also helps manage congenital anomalies to support the health of newborns after surgery.
Clinic facilities and infrastructure
Istinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir holds both JCI and ISO 9001:2015 accreditations. It operates as a multi-specialty university hospital that treats 2,500+ international patients every year. The facility is located about 40 minutes from Istanbul New Airport. By combining neurosurgery with neonatology, the hospital provides specialized care for children born with neural tube defects. The use of intraoperative neuromonitoring helps the surgical team track nerve activity throughout the entire repair process.
You can request a consultation for spina bifida treatment through the Bookimed platform to receive a personalized medical plan.
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Treatments prices in the clinic
| diagnostics | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Biopsy | $1950 | |
| Consultation with a neurologist | $80 - $150 | |
| Brain MRI | $400 | |
| Tumor Marker Blood Test | $60 - $150 | |
| Revision of MRI results | $50 - $150 |
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Istinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir: more details about the clinic
Istinye Liv Hospital is located on the Bosphorus coast 40 minutes drive from the Istanbul New Airport.
2,700 international patients choose Istinye Liv for treatment annually.
Benefits of Istinye Liv
- Multispecialty hospital. Doctors of different specialties provide health care at Istinye. The patient gets the right doctor who is specialized in their medical issue, makes the correct diagnosis, and prescribes the relevant treatment.
- University hospital. The Istinye treatment approach is a combination of Liv Hospital doctors' experience and university research activities. As a result, Istinye specialists accept patients even with the most difficult cases and conditions.
- The comfortable stay. Each patient gets 5-star services and accommodation.
Istinye University Liv Hospital in figures

Cancer treatment
Doctors of the Oncology Department accept children and adults.
PET-CT is available here for an accurate diagnosing and individual treatment plan development. Using PET-CT, doctors can detect even the smallest tumors up to 1 mm in size.
The Istinye oncologists carry out such cancer treatments as:
Laparoscopy
This method is considered the most minimally invasive — the operation is performed through small incisions of 0.5-5 cm. In contrast, an open intervention requires the 10-15 cm incision.
Laparoscopy minimizes the damage of healthy tissues and blood loss, so the patient recovers faster than after open surgery.
Chemotherapy
The Istinye Liv oncologists apply chemotherapy for comprehensive cancer treatment. There are such types of chemo as:
- neoadjuvant — prescribed before radiation therapy or surgery to remove the tumor
- adjuvant — used after the surgery or radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy is used for benign and malignant tumors treatment with ionizing radiation. It destroys cancer cells and therefore stops the development of the disease.
Radiotherapy is prescribed both independently and in combination with other cancer treatment methods.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
RFA affects the tumor with a high temperature of radiofrequency waves. During the procedure, the doctor uses an ultrasound or CT scan to accurately direct the radiofrequency waves and not damage the healthy tissues.
Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat small neoplasms up to 3 cm in bones, lungs, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, and prostate gland.
Immunotherapy
This cancer treatment method stimulates the immune system to fight the tumor, so the body can recognize cancer cells and destroy them.
According to the hospital data, immunotherapy is the most effective for Hodgkin's lymphoma, melanoma, neck tumors, lungs, breast, kidney, and bladder treatment. Immunotherapy does not cause side effects compared with chemotherapy.
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgeons accept patients with spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nervous system disorders. To make the operations as safe and effective as possible, doctors use:
- neuronavigation — the computer technologies that allow the surgeon to control the movements of tools with an accuracy of 1 mm;
- neuromonitoring — a computerized system that allows not to affect the brain functions.
For operations on the brain and spinal cord, doctors perform microsurgery, an intervention enlarging and illuminating the operated area that allows minimizing the risk of bleeding.
Organ transplant
The Istinye specialists perform organ transplants for adults and children. They carry out liver and kidney transplant operations along with complex interventions like simultaneous transplantation of several organs.
The Organ Transplant Department is headed by Professor Ayhan Dinсkan who performed more than 1,000 liver transplants and 5,000 kidney transplants in children and adults. The success rate of the donor organ acceptance is 91.7%, as Istinye Liv Hospital reports.
Urology
The Istinye urologists conduct surgical treatment of urolithiasis (stones), cysts, acute renal failure, prostate diseases and congenital malformations of the urinary system. Doctors accept adults and children for treatment.
Additional services
Patient reviews
View 19 reviewsТимур • Hearing loss Turkey
"Firstly!!! We thank Igor (our medical coordinator) for his professionalism !!!"
Валерий • Prostate cancer Ukraine
SPECIAL THANKS TO BUKIMEDA COORDINATOR PAVL
Anonymous • Breast cancer Ukraine
"Special thanks to Lala and Niyaz for coordination and guidance
Guljan • Diffusive-toxic goiter Turkey
Aşık Veysel Mah, Süleyman Demirel Cd. No:1, 34517 Esenyurt/İstanbul, Турция
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