Accident Uncovers Life-Threatening Tennis Ball-Sized Brain Aneurysm in Israeli Woman

Hana Feldman, a 22-year-old woman from Beit Shemesh, survived a severe ATV accident in December 2025 that led to the unexpected discovery of a large, life-threatening brain aneurysm. After the accident, Feldman was rushed to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where routine trauma scans revealed a three-centimeter aneurysm near the brainstem, which doctors said could have ruptured at any moment, posing an immediate risk to her life.

Feldman underwent diagnostic and therapeutic brain catheterization procedures performed by Dr. Yaakov Amsalem and Dr. Simon Komli at Shaare Zedek’s neuro-radiology unit. The treatment involved placing a tiny stent to reroute blood flow and gradually close the aneurysm, successfully preventing a potentially fatal hemorrhage. Feldman also faced a lengthy recovery from multiple injuries sustained in the accident, including complex pelvic fractures and internal organ damage.

Dr. Amsalem explained that brain aneurysms are balloon-like vessel expansions caused by weakened vessel walls, with a high risk of rupture leading to severe neurological damage or death. He noted a rising incidence of aneurysms among young people, partly due to improved diagnostic technologies. Feldman had suffered from severe headaches for years, which she now believes were related to the aneurysm.

Following nearly two months of rehabilitation at the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital in Tel Aviv, Feldman has made significant progress, though she still experiences pain and mobility challenges. She and her husband have since stopped their ATV outings. Feldman urges others to take persistent headaches seriously and seek thorough medical evaluation.

Dr. Alon Schwartz, head of trauma at Shaare Zedek, emphasized the multidisciplinary effort that saved Feldman’s life, noting that without the accident and subsequent medical attention, her aneurysm might have gone undetected and fatal. Feldman’s case highlights the importance of comprehensive trauma care and vigilance for hidden life-threatening conditions.