Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Felix Bokstein
46 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Brain cyst treatment cost in Israel ranges from $38,500 to $58,000 for surgical removal, while essential diagnostics like sleep EEG run $400 to $600. Total expenses depend on the surgical approach, hospital stay duration, and clinic tier. Patients typically achieve 30-50% savings compared to the US. Top cities for this treatment include Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
Typical Brain Cyst Treatment Costs in Israel
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients seeking minimally invasive options should prioritize centers with advanced neuro-endoscopy departments. Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) is ideal for complex cases. Doctors like Dr. Roth Jonathan specialize in endoscopic surgery for skull base cysts. For pediatric cases, Hadassah Medical Center offers world-class care under Nobel-recognized credentials. Private facilities like Assuta provide highly customized care with shorter waiting times for international patients.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Gamma Knife | from $13,800 | from $6,300 | from $32,000 |
| Brain tumor surgery | from $30,000 | from $7,030 | from $60,000 |
| Brain tumor removal | from $38,500 | from $19,710 | from $60,000 |
Prof. Zvi Cohen is Director of the Neurosurgery Department and the Neuro-Oncology Unit at Sheba Medical Center. He is a neurosurgeon and neuro-oncology expert. He was included in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors 2025. He leads clinical research on drug therapies for malignant brain tumors. He also founded Sheba’s brain tumor tissue bank.
He is board-certified in neurosurgery. He trained at Tel Aviv University. He completed fellowships in neuroradiology at Beth Israel and in neurosurgical oncology at MD Anderson. His practice covers complex brain, pituitary, spine, and spinal cord tumors. He has expertise in stereotactic biopsies, image-guided resections, intraoperative MRI, navigation systems, and radiosurgery. He is a member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the Israeli Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Bokstein leads the Neurooncology Clinic at Sourasky Medical Center, a major Tel Aviv hospital specializing in brain conditions.
Professor Constantini has performed over 900 neurosurgical procedures and holds the prestigious Mahaly Best Clinical Research Award from the AANS.
Professor Zvi Ram is a world-renowned neurosurgeon who leads the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS). He is an expert in minimally invasive brain surgery.
Israeli neurosurgeons recommend surgical intervention when a brain cyst becomes symptomatic or life-threatening. Common triggers include persistent headaches, seizures, or vision loss. Surgery is necessary if imaging shows cyst growth, pressure on brain tissue, or fluid blockages causing hydrocephalus.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli specialists often use 3D navigation and intraoperative cortical mapping to treat cysts previously deemed inoperable. At Sourasky Medical Center, professors like Dr. Zvi Ram focus on preserving complex functions during resection. Our data shows top centers maintain high success rates by choosing endoscopic pathways over traditional craniotomy whenever possible.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it's helpful that Israeli doctors often suggest monitoring small cysts rather than rushing to surgery. Those who undergo modern endoscopic drainage emphasize the surprisingly fast recovery and minimal scarring compared to traditional methods.
Israeli neurosurgeons prioritize minimally invasive endoscopic fenestration and microsurgical removal for brain cysts. These techniques utilize high-definition cameras and neuronavigation to drain fluid through small incisions. Clinics like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) also employ awake craniotomy and stereotactic radiosurgery for complex cases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky Medical Center reveals a high concentration of specialists, like Dr. Grossman Rachel and Dr. Roth Jonathan, who specifically list brain cyst removal as a primary specialization. This dedicated focus is uncommon; in many countries, general neurosurgeons handle these cases. This specialization likely contributes to the 90% success rate reported by major Tel Aviv oncology and neurosurgery centers.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the speed of access to world-renowned experts like Prof. Shlomi Constantini for second opinions. Many note that endoscopic options are preferred over traditional craniotomy to avoid long hospital stays and visible scarring.
Major Israeli neurosurgery centers report success rates between 85% and 98% for complex brain procedures. Sourasky Medical Center performs over 2,500 operations annually with a 98% success rate. Advanced imaging and minimally invasive techniques help keep recurrence rates for benign tumors below 7%.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because top specialists like Dr. Shlomi Constantini are cross-trained globally. Our data shows hospitals like Sourasky manage 1,800,000 patient visits yearly. This massive volume allows surgeons to specialize in rare brain cyst types. They often use intraoperative MRI to verify results before the surgery ends.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention feeling safer because surgeons explain how the latest mapping technology protects healthy brain tissue. Others note that clear communication from specialists like those at Assuta helped them feel confident.
Brain cyst surgery in Israel generally takes 2 to 5 hours depending on the chosen surgical approach. Minimally invasive endoscopic removals are usually completed within 2 hours. Complex open craniotomies often require 4 to 6 hours for safe cyst drainage and wall resection.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgeons prioritize preservation of function by utilizing advanced technology like intraoperative MRI and cortical mapping. Dr. Grossman Rachel at Sourasky Medical Center performs specialized awake craniotomies to ensure the patient remains neurologically intact throughout. This precision significantly lowers the likelihood of long-term rehabilitation needs compared to standard procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that fatigue can persist for over 6 months despite clean scans. Many suggest tracking headaches daily after discharge and using neck pillows to maintain comfort while avoiding any straining.
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa are the primary hubs attracting international patients for brain cyst surgery in Israel. JCI-accredited facilities like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center provide advanced neurosurgical care. These centers utilize minimally invasive endoscopic techniques and intraoperative MRI for high precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many seek private care at Assuta for speed, Sourasky Medical Center often serves as the national referral point for the most complex cyst cases. This is likely because specialists like Dr. Rachel Grossman and Dr. Jonathan Roth handle high volumes of specific cyst and skull base procedures there. Patients should prioritize clinics where neurosurgeons hold specific fellowships in endoscopic or skull base surgery, rather than general neurosurgery.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Tel Aviv is the most accessible hub for international coordinators, while Jerusalem offers highly specialized academic care. Many recommend arranging a virtual consultation with specialists like Dr. Shlomi Constantini to confirm the surgical approach before traveling.