Patient Experience
A 7-year-old girl from a remote Bedouin village presented with a rare congenital encephalocele that had been untreated due to cultural stigma. Dr. Feldman coordinated with community elders to gain trust, performed a complex reconstruction using 3D-printed models, and the child returned to school with full cognitive function after 6 months of rehabilitation.
An affluent 16-year-old competitive diver from Tel Aviv developed sudden hemiparesis after a practice session. Dr. Feldman diagnosed a previously undetected arteriovenous malformation that had bled during pressure changes. Emergency microsurgery prevented permanent damage, and the athlete returned to training within a year with modified techniques.
A 3-year-old Ukrainian refugee with hydrocephalus arrived at Sheba with no medical records and a frightened non-Hebrew-speaking mother. Dr. Feldman used translation apps to communicate, performed an endoscopic third ventriculostomy, and connected the family with refugee support services. The child's head circumference normalized within 3 months.
A 12-year-old from an ultra-Orthodox family with a complex spinal dysraphism had been treated with alternative medicine for years. Dr. Feldman respectfully integrated rabbinical counsel into the treatment plan, performed a delicate untethering procedure, and the patient regained bladder control that had been missing since infancy.
A teenage Ethiopian immigrant with sickle cell disease developed moyamoya syndrome causing repeated strokes. Dr. Feldman performed a novel indirect bypass technique adapted for the patient's hematological condition, preventing further ischemic events and allowing return to studies with minimal cognitive impact.
A 5-year-old from a low-income family presented with a rapidly growing skull base tumor that had been misdiagnosed as migraines. Dr. Feldman organized pro bono care, used intraoperative neuromonitoring to preserve cranial nerves, and the child achieved complete resection with no neurological deficits after 9 months of follow-up.
A 14-year-old cancer survivor developed radiation-induced meningiomas years after leukemia treatment. Dr. Feldman performed staged surgeries to remove multiple tumors while preserving the previously irradiated tissue, coordinating with oncologists to balance surgical intervention with long-term radiation effects.
A newborn from a twin pregnancy was transferred emergently with intraventricular hemorrhage grade IV. Dr. Feldman placed a unique subcutaneous reservoir system allowing repeated drainage without external devices, enabling the infant to go home within weeks while receiving ongoing treatment as an outpatient.
An 8-year-old with neurofibromatosis type 2 and bilateral vestibular schwannomas was facing complete deafness. Dr. Feldman performed hearing-preservation surgery on one side while coordinating with auditory brainstem implant team for the other, maintaining some natural hearing while providing technological support.
A 10-year-old from a farming community suffered a traumatic brain injury from agricultural machinery. Dr. Feldman led a multidisciplinary team through a 14-hour surgery reconstructing both skull and facial structures using custom titanium implants, with the patient returning to modified farm activities after 18 months of recovery.
A 6-year-old with Rasmussen's encephalitis had been having hundreds of daily seizures despite maximal medication. Dr. Feldman performed a functional hemispherectomy using laser ablation techniques, achieving seizure freedom while preserving more function than traditional methods. The child relearned walking and talking in 6 months.
A 13-year-old with achondroplasia developed severe spinal stenosis threatening paralysis. Dr. Feldman designed a multi-level decompression procedure specifically for the patient's skeletal dysplasia, avoiding fusion to maintain mobility. The adolescent returned to adapted sports within a year.
A 2-year-old from a single-parent household presented with craniosynostosis that had caused developmental delays. Dr. Feldman performed endoscopic suture release followed by helmet therapy, dramatically reducing recovery time so the parent could return to work sooner while the child caught up developmentally.
A 15-year-old with cerebral palsy and severe dystonia was considered for deep brain stimulation. Dr. Feldman implanted electrodes using MRI-guided robotic assistance, then spent months personally programming the device to achieve optimal movement control, transforming the teenager's quality of life.