The Helmsley Charitable Trust PET-CT Institute

Institute Director: Dr. Ilya Reizberg

PT-CT Unit Director: Dr. Katerina Tiktinsky

Chief Technician and Medical Technologist: Mr. Avi Tagia

Radiation Safety Officer and Medical Technologist: Ms. Ravit Yosef

Charge Nurse: Tanya Ben Moshe

Head of Secretarial Staff: Nicole Sergeyev Amor

Physicist: Meital Nidam

Medical and Administrative Staff:

Shay Biato - Medical Technologist, Acting Radiation Safety Officer

Yulia Poltorak - Medical Technologist

Inbal Abramov - Medical Secretary

Avivit Alfasi - Medical Secretary

Agam Tzabari - Medical Secretary

The Helmsley Charitable Trust PET-CT Institute operates as part of the Nuclear Medicine Institute at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center and spans approximately 540 sq m. The Institute is equipped with some of the world's most advanced technologies and devices and provides essential services to oncology patients at various stages of disease along with diagnosis of infectious processes, neurodegenerative diseases and other medical conditions.

All examinations are performed in accordance with the most rigorous and current Israeli and international protocols. The new PET-CT scanner enables exceptionally precise imaging while using a reduced radiation dose to promote patient safety. The facility has been carefully designed to ensure maximum comfort for patients and their families throughout the entire examination process.

The institute is an integral part of the comprehensive oncology services available under one roof at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. It works in close cooperation with the hospital's Oncology and Hematology Divisions. The institute's staff is committed to excellence, innovation, and professional, compassionate care, while advancing scientific research and implementing cutting-edge technologies.

Results are provided within 7 business days, and in urgent cases, a faster turnaround is available based on clinical need.

Location:

Institute Building, 1st floor

Institute hours:

Sunday-Thursday: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM

Friday and Saturday: Institute is closed

To contact us and schedule an appointment:

Email: [email protected]

Before scheduling an appointment, submit a medical referral from your doctor along with a payment authorization form from your medical insurer (HMO).

What is a PET-CT scan?

A PET-CT scan is an advanced imaging study that combines two different technologies in a single device:

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) - images the metabolic (functional) activity of tissues.

CT (Computed Tomography) - provides a precise anatomical image of the body's structure.

In combination, these technologies allow physicians to see not only what organs look like, but how they are functioning, and to pinpoint the location of disease sites with maximum precision.

What advantage does this scan have over other imaging studies?

The significant advantage is the ability to detect changes in the function of cells. Because many diseases are characterized by a change in metabolic activity before any structural change of the organ occurs, PET-CT can identify disease sites at a far earlier stage than standard imaging techniques.

How is the scan performed?

The scan consists of three main stages: 

• Injection: The patient is injected with a small, personalized dose of a radioactive substance (the tracer). This amount is considered safe. 
• Waiting period: Following the injection, the patient waits approximately one hour. This time is necessary to allow the tracer to be optimally absorbed by the body's tissues. 
• Scanning: The patient lies inside the PET-CT scanner. The camera detects the radiation emitted by the tracer in the body and translates it into an image that reflects metabolic activity.

Is the tracer dangerous?

No. The scan uses a very small amount of radioactive material that has been individually tailored to each patient to ensure their safety while achieving precise results.

What is the role of CT in the combined scanner?

While the PET camera identifies the suspicious “activity,” the CT provides the anatomical map. Together, they enable the medical staff to determine the precise location of disease sites and characterize them optimally.