Evacuated from war-ravaged Ukraine, young woman’s life saved at Shaare Zedek

In early 2022, shortly after the outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine, 18-year-old Anna Kuzma developed a temperature, which quickly spread throughout her body, causing severe convulsions and a brain infection.

Acombined mission ensued, involving Hatzolah Air and Zaka with medical support provided by the Trauma team from Shaare Zedek to get Anna safely to Israel for treatment. Anna arrived at Shaare Zedek and was admitted to the Helmsley Neurological Institute with her condition identified as extremely critical. Doctors feared she had limited chances of survival.

Over the coming weeks and months, she was treated with an innovative approach under the care of Dr Stefan Mausbach, Director of our Neurological Intensive Care Unit and Dr Roni Eichel, Director of the Department of Neurology. Dr Mausbach explains, “In Ukraine Anna developed a fever and was treated by a family doctor. After a week she lost consciousness and started to experience convulsions. When she arrived at Shaare Zedek we carried out a procedure under deep anaesthesia to lower the brain activity and stop the convulsions.”

For three months, Anna remained at Shaare Zedek in serious condition. Dr Mausbach and his team were convinced the outcome was not going to be good. “When I received the brain MRI, I said to myself there is no way she will survive this. The damage was so significant, usually it’s something from which there is no way back.” However, to everyone’s amazement, slowly but surely Anna’s condition started to stabilize.

When Anna arrived at Shaare Zedek all the imaging scans indicated doctors were treating a young woman who was nearing the end of her life. Dr Roni Eichel shared, “At first, our impressions were that we would not be able to save her. This was a rare case of a medical condition – a febrile illness that quickly develops into epilepsy that is difficult to treat. In most cases the patient suffers severe brain damage and, in many cases, there is a risk of death”.

Despite those initial deep concerns, the medical teams never gave up and used intensive care approaches which had never been used in Israel before. This dedication led to what many would have thought the unthinkable. Three months later, Anna regained full consciousness and a high level of overall functioning and was able to be discharged from hospital. A story of hope, triumph and great pride to all who were involved in her care.

Yulia, Anna’s mother shared, “Anna’s treatment is not yet completely finished, but now her condition is much better. We continue rehabilitation at the hospital and it will take some time to fully recover. We are grateful to the doctors and especially to Dr Mausbach who saved her life”