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Expansion of the Institute of Gastroenterology
Institute of Gastroenterology
The Institute of Gastroenterology at Rabin Medical Center is one of Israel's foremost facilities offering specialized services for prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of digestive and intestinal diseases and for disorders of the colon, gallbladder and pancreas. With a staff of over 20 gastroenterology specialists, as well as dedicated nurses, technicians and other staff members, its outpatient clinic provides consultation services and performs advanced gastrointestinal (GI) examinations including endoscopy, ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound to about 35,000 patients per year. Affiliated with the Tel Aviv University - Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Institute is also a leader in teaching and research.
The Institute is headed by Prof. Yaron Niv, past chairman of the Israel Gastroenterological Association and presently head of its Gastroenterology Oncology Section. He has published more than 200 papers, is associate editor of several leading gastroenterology journals and is considered a leader in the field of colorectal cancer and its prevention.
Included in the Institute of Gastroenterology are the following Units and Services:
Invasive Endoscopy Unit
More than 5,000 endoscope procedures are performed in a year. The Unit offers endoscope methods for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors, strictures and malignant obstruction, reducing the need for operative treatment. It also develops new methods for diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic and biliary tract disease.
Genetics and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer Clinic
Prevention of colorectal cancer is a major challenge in gastroenterology. The service provides patients with a family history of colorectal cancer and genetically based gastrointestinal cancer syndromes with genetic advice and strategies for cancer prevention.
Neurogastroenterology Clinic
Specialized clinic for the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal motor problems including pelvic floor disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome. Advanced investigative procedures include manometry, pH monitoring and more.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unit
The Unit provides specialist clinics to meet the specific medical needs of patients suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, including treatment with new biological medications, dietary advice and a psychology service. Several clinical trials to test new treatments are in progress.
Helicobacter Pylori Laboratory
This laboratory for breath test analysis for Helicobacter pylori is a nation-wide service. More than 30,000 such tests are performed each year using specialized mass spectrograph equipment. It is also deeply involved in research.
Expansion of the Institute of Gastroenterology
Invasive Endoscope Procedures
Endoscope procedures enable the gastroenterologist to see the inside lining of the digestive tract. These procedures include upper GI endoscopy of the esophagus, the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine, and colonoscopy relating to the large colon and small bowel. The examination is performed using an endoscope - a flexible fiberoptic tube with a tiny video camera and light at the end with the high-quality picture from the endoscope shown real-time on a monitor. In addition, vital procedures can be performed via endoscope using tiny instruments to obtain tissue samples, stop bleeding, dilate or stretch a narrowed area, or perform other treatments.
Due to the high prestige of the medical care at our Institute, as well as the growing awareness of the necessity for diagnostic evaluation for early detection of gastroenterological malignancies, and the continuous advances in medical technology that offer greater ability to perform cutting-edge endoscopic treatment procedures for various diseases, there has been a dramatic rise in the demand for these procedures over the past few years.
When there is suspicion of GI malignancies, it is vital to perform the diagnostic endoscope procedures as quickly as possible, without delay. Early detection can virtually save lives.
In order to offer quick service, vital for early detection and rapid treatment of life-threatening diseases, and to enable us to encompass the constantly increasing patient load it is crucial that we enlarge our facilities. We are presently expanding the Institute of Gastroenterology from 660 sq.meters. to almost 900 sq.meters. This will include expansion of the Invasive Endoscopy Unit, doubling the number of treatment rooms for endoscope procedures from 3 treatment rooms at present to 6, enabling us to meet the increased needs for this vital service.
Each endoscope room must include the necessary medical equipment: operating table, endoscopy systems, anesthetizing devices, vital signs monitor, volumetric infusion pump and more. One of the rooms will be a special treatment room for advanced treatments and will include the most modern devices for performing state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment methods on both adults and children.
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a medical procedure in which endoscopy, a minimally invasive diagnostic medical procedure used to assess the interior surfaces of an organ by inserting a tube into the body, is combined with ultrasound to obtain sonar images. By guiding an endoscope with an ultrasound transducer at its tip, sound beyond the range of human hearing is emitted within body cavities and creates images of the targeted areas.
This technology is widely used to obtain information on areas that are difficult to observe externally, especially the digestive tracts and the surrounding tissue and organs, including the esophagus, stomach and other digestive organs, as well as the pancreas and biliary tract. It can be used to visualize the wall of these organs, or to look at adjacent structures. Combined with Doppler imaging, nearby blood vessels can also be evaluated.
Endoscopic ultrasonography is a major tool for detection, assessment and staging of several types of cancer, such as pancreatic and gastric cancer as well as benign tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract. It also allows for characterization and biopsy of lesions found in the upper gastrointestinal tract by means of inserting a needle through the stomach lining into the target. Accurate assessment is vital for these diseases in order to determine the best possible life-saving and quality-of-life enhancing treatment.
Until now, separate instruments and displays were required for accurate imaging and for taking biopsies based on both radial (mechanical) and linear (electronic) imaging. Olympus has now developed the Universal Endoscopic Ultrasound Center (EU-ME1), a general-purpose system combining electronic and mechanical scanning in a single unit display. This system combines cutting-edge technologies allowing high-quality viewing at all levels from tissue surfaces to deeper areas of organs, together with ease of use.
The Division of Gastroenterology at Rabin Medical Center, one of the most reputable facilities in the country, is presently establishing its new, enlarged state-of-the-art Endoscopy Unit in order to meet the greatly increased needs for advanced endoscopic procedures. Purchase of this system including the relevant radial and linear endoscopes and plasma display monitor will enable us to offer this vital diagnostic and assessment procedure for patients suffering from malignant diseases.
EUS is a technically demanding and complex procedure performed by expert gastroenterologists with advanced training. The professional expertise and clinical experience provided by our staff, together with this world-class technology are a unique combination that will enable our Division of Gastroenterology to offer early detection and accurate diagnosis of gastroenterological cancer diseases.
Cost of the Universal Endoscopic Ultrasound Center: $300,000
For further information, please contact American Friends of Rabin Medical Center at (212) 279-2522 or via e-mail
American Friends of Rabin Medical Center :: 636 Broadway, Suite 218 :: New York, NY 10012 :: (tel) 212.279.2522 :: (fax) 212.279.0179 :: afrmc@afrmc.org