7-Year-Old Charedi Tourist Suffered Headaches During Flight – Doctors Found Life-Threatening Tumor

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — At the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, an urgent, lifesaving surgery was performed to remove a tumor from the brain of Ariella, a seven-year-old charedi girl from the United States who had come to Israel with her family for a holiday visit.

The surgery was carried out after Ariella suffered severe headaches during the flight — headaches that did not subside. As a result, her family members, who are trained EMTs, decided to bring her to Shaare Zedek hospital immediately.

Ariella was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for a CT scan, which revealed a large tumor on the right side of her brain that required emergency neurosurgery.

It was a tumor causing pressure on the brain and leading to symptoms such as weakness on one side of the body, drowsiness, vomiting, and headaches.

A broad team that included pediatric oncology specialists, led by Dr. Iris Fried, and the pediatric intensive care team led by Dr. Zach Brown and nurse Tali Weiss, coordinated Ariella’s treatment.

The emergency surgery was performed by the head of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit, Dr. Gustavo Rajz, together with the deputy head of the neurosurgery department, Dr. Ido Feldor, who successfully removed the tumor.

Ariella’s mother, Esti Gross, said:
“We decided almost at the last minute to come to Israel, but I truly cannot imagine how we would have gone through all of this anywhere else. We formed a real connection with the staff, we felt that we weren’t just another case. Every person, from the nurses to the most senior doctors, did everything to make sure we were in good hands. Thanks to the dedicated care and the positive experience, we feel privileged to share our story.”

Her father, Dudi, added:
“Throughout the entire treatment, which was at times frightening and full of uncertainty, we always felt like we were being treated as family. The doctors and all the staff were simply incredible.”

Dr. Rajz, who led the surgery, said:
“This case ended successfully thanks to timely professional intervention and seamless cooperation between the medical teams at Shaare Zedek, before the situation deteriorated into a life-threatening condition. We feel it is a great privilege to provide the kind of care that, had it not been given in time, could have resulted in a completely different outcome.”