Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Zvi Ram
37 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Removal of meningioma | from $31,500 | from $21,900 | from $35,000 |
| Gamma Knife | from $13,800 | from $6,300 | from $32,000 |
| CyberKnife | from $17,500 | from $4,750 | from $50,000 |
| Craniotomy | from $28,500 | from $5,650 | from $20,000 |
| TrueBeam | - | from $3,500 | from $18,000 |
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. Yuri Goldes is a general surgeon with more than 20 years of clinical experience. He specializes in upper gastrointestinal and oncologic surgery. He is Deputy Director of the Department of General Surgery and Transplantation at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv. He also leads the Upper GI Surgery Unit. He was named to Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors in 2025. He is ranked among Israel’s Best Gastrointestinal Surgeons by Forbes. In 2019, he received the Israeli Ministry of Health “Best Doctor of the Year” award.
He is an expert in advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgery. He treats diaphragmatic hernia, achalasia, GERD, and gallbladder disease. He also performs oncologic surgery for pancreatic, gastric, and esophageal cancers. He uses laparoscopic and robotic techniques.
He pioneered some of Israel’s first robotic oncologic resections of the stomach and pancreas. He is among a small group worldwide who perform minimally invasive Whipple procedures (pancreaticoduodenectomy) using advanced laparoscopy. He applies methods that improve outcomes and speed recovery. He provides personalized care.
Heads the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and is recognized as a top global neurosurgeon.
Dr. Dvora Blumental leads the Neuro-oncology Service at Sourasky Medical Center, specializing in meningioma care with 30 years of experience of focused experience.
Most meningiomas are potentially curable, especially when located in areas allowing for gross total resection. Israeli oncology centers report a 90% average success rate for tumor treatments. Survival reaches 95% over ten years for grade 1 cases when surgeons achieve complete surgical removal.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out due to the extreme volume of complex cases handled by individual specialists. At Sourasky Medical Center, Prof. Zvi Ram brings over 25 years of experience in brain mapping and microsurgery. This high volume is critical because data shows experienced surgeons are more likely to achieve total removal while preserving speech and motor functions. Choosing a center performing over 30,000 annual operations, like Hadassah or Soroka, significantly improves the likelihood of a definitive surgical cure.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that a clean MRI five years post-surgery provides immense relief, though they stress the importance of never skipping annual follow-up scans. Many note that tracking even minor shifts in symptoms is vital for peace of mind long after the initial procedure.
Israel utilizes robotic systems like Da Vinci Xi and Mazor Robotics for high-precision neurosurgery. Specialized centers implement Suigical Theater for 360-degree virtual reality planning. Advanced intraoperative navigation and real-time brain mapping help surgeons remove tumors while preserving critical speech and motor functions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers demonstrate a unique integration of research and practice that benefits complex cases. For instance, Professor Dr. Zvi Ram at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) actively develops gene-based therapies alongside performing advanced neurosurgical operations. This means patients often access emerging protocols before they become global standards. With over 34,000 surgeries performed annually at Ichilov, the high procedural volume ensures surgeons maintain peak technical proficiency with these advanced tools.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that using an exoscope instead of a traditional microscope provides a better 3D view for the surgeon. They note this often leads to shorter operation times and a faster recovery by several days.
Meningioma procedures in Israel maintain a 95% success rate at specialized neurosurgical centers. Facilities like Sourasky Medical Center report survival rates up to 98% for general neurosurgery. Specialist surgeons utilize Brainlab neuronavigation and Gamma Knife technology to ensure high tumor control and patient safety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many focus on surgery, Israel stands out for its high-volume neuro-oncology services. Sourasky Medical Center alone treats over 400,000 patients annually. Prof. Dr. Zvi Ram brings 25+ years of experience in brain mapping and gene-based therapies. These high-volume centers often achieve better outcomes than smaller clinics due to specialized equipment like the Zeiss KINEVO 900 microscope.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that focusing on the tumor location is more important than raw statistics. They emphasize that while costs are 20% to 50% higher than some other regions, the superior outcomes for complex cases justify the travel.
Surgery is not always necessary for meningioma. Many of these tumors are benign and grow very slowly. Doctors in Israel often recommend observation through regular MRI scans if the tumor is small. Intervention is reserved for tumors causing symptoms or showing documented growth during follow-up.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a significant price gap between non-invasive and surgical options in Israel. While a craniotomy can reach $44,500, Gamma Knife radiosurgery is available for around $13,800 to $19,200. Patients with tumors near critical structures may save over $10,000 by choosing specialized radiation if their neurosurgeon confirms it is a safe alternative to traditional surgery.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doctors often prefer a wait-and-see approach for incidental findings. Many people live with stable tumors for over 5 years using only imaging surveillance and tracking symptoms like headaches or balance issues.
Non-invasive treatments for meningioma in Israel primarily involve advanced radiation technologies like Gamma Knife and CyberKnife. These stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) options target tumors without incisions. They are highly effective for small lesions under 3 centimeters. Most patients return home the same day as the procedure.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many patients seek radiosurgery for its non-invasive nature, Israeli centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) often favor it specifically for tumors near critical nerves. Data shows that for lesions under 3 centimeters, SRS provides a 95% success rate in halting growth. This approach avoids the risks of traditional neurosurgery while maintaining long-term stability.
Patient Consensus: Patients often choose radiosurgery for its outpatient nature and lack of scarring. Many emphasize that while it is not always a permanent cure, it provides years of stability for benign tumors with very little downtime.
Standard meningioma treatment in Israel requires 10 to 14 days for surgery and initial recovery. Patients undergoing craniotomy stay 5 to 7 days in the hospital. Non-invasive procedures like Gamma Knife or CyberKnife usually allow for same-day discharge or a 24-hour observation period.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While general guidelines suggest 2 weeks, Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center coordinate complex cases that may require longer. Prof. Dr. Zvi Ram at Sourasky uses advanced brain mapping which improves surgical precision. Our data shows that patients choosing private facilities like Assuta often benefit from more flexible discharge schedules. This helps coordinate with international flight requirements more effectively than in larger public wards.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that staying at least 3 weeks or more is safer. This helps avoid potential complications like swelling or seizures during the flight home. Many suggest getting written travel clearance from the surgeon only after the final post-op scans are reviewed. They emphasize that rushing home can lead to difficult readmissions in your home country.
You can receive an online consultation for meningioma treatment before traveling to Israel. Leading centers like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center utilize telemedicine platforms for international patients. These sessions allow neurosurgeons to review imaging and discuss surgical or radiation plans remotely.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that choosing a multidisciplinary center like Sourasky, which serves over 400,000 patients annually, ensures access to both surgical and radiation expertise. Coordinating your virtual visit with a neuro-oncologist like Dr. Dvora Blumental provides a comprehensive second opinion on benign or malignant tumors. This preliminary step often confirms if minimally invasive techniques are viable before you book your flight.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is essential to upload DICOM files via secure links before the call for an accurate assessment. Many feel that paying for a detailed video session is worth it to avoid travel uncertainty.