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Our role Interventional neuroradiology (INR) is a radiological subspeciality. INR diagnoses and treats diseases of the brain, the spinal cord and the head with access via blood vessels (endovascular route) or through direct puncture (percutaneously).  INR specialists work closely with neurologists from the Stroke Unit where their adult patients are hospitalised.    Image  "At present, we are the only fully fledged department of this kind in Belgium. Our high degree of expertise attracts patients from throughout Belgium and beyond." Our specialities The Erasmus Hospital's INR Department is active across 3 pathologies or clinics:Malformation pathologies such as brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and fistulas, etc.  Thromboembolic pathologies such as ischemic stroke (caused by a blood clot), chronic subdural hematoma, cervical or intracranial artery stenosis, etc. Within the INR Neonatal and Paediatric Clinic that treats newborns showing a malformation pathology (see Focus), in cooperation with the HUDERF.  There are several INR approaches and methods. The most frequent are: Angiography that consists of introducing a catheter via the wrist artery or the femoral vein (endovascular route) into which a contrast agent is injected and a series of X-rays are then taken. The images thereby obtained make it possible to map the blood vessels and identify anomalies. Embolisation, a procedure by which a small catheter is introduced  endovascularly or percutaneously. This makes it possible to gain access to the brain damage or spinal cord and to provide treatment without recourse to more major surgery. Mechanical thrombectomy that consists of "unblocking" blood vessels by "suctioning out" the blood clot via a catheter. It is one of the treatments for an ischemic stroke. Our team Image our specialists Focus The Erasmus Hospital is home to one of the few Interventional Neuroradiology Neonatal and Paediatric Clinics in the world. Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation is the pathology most frequently treated. This is an abnormal communication between certain arteries and the vein of Galen. These malformations can cause serious cardiac problems   in utero or at birth and subsequently a risk of haemorrhages and brain developmental problems. If operated on in time, most babies can survive and develop normally.  Publications Endovascular treatment of intracranial vascular malformations in children. Auteurs : Lubicz B, Christiaens F.Journal : Dev Med Child Neurol 2020;62: 1124-1130 16 August 2023 Firs-pass Effect Predicts Clinical Outcome and Infarct Growth after Thrombectomy for DMVO Auteurs : Farouki Y, et alJournal : Neurosurgery 2022 16 August 2023 WEB device for EVT of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. Auteurs : Lubicz B, Mine B, Collignon L, Brisbois D, Duckwiler G, Strother CJournal : Am J of Neuroradiol AJNR 2013;34: 1209-1214 Flow-diverter stent for endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms: a prospective study in 29 patients with 34 aneurysms. Auteurs : Lubicz B, Collignon L, Raphaeli G, Pruvo JP, Bruneau M, De Witte O, Leclerc XJournal : Stroke 2010;41: 2247-53 16 August 2023

A measure applied from 1 August From 1 August, certain stages of breast cancer treatment will be reimbursed only if the treatment was carried out in approved breast clinics, including the Erasmus Hospital and the Jules Bordet Institute. This decision was taken following a study carried out by the Federal Centre for Expertise in Health Care (KCE), which revealed that women treated in a non-accredited clinic were 30% more likely to die of breast cancer than patients treated in an accredited clinic.Find out more in the RTBF report.

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What is obesity? Being overweight or obese is defined as having an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that is harmful to health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers that a person is overweight when their body mass index (BMI) is above 25 and is obese when it is equal to or above 30.  In Belgium, 49.3% of the adult population is overweight and 16% of the population is obese. The risk of being overweight or obese increases with age as it applies to one third and one fifth of the population respectively after the age of 35.  It is a public health problem associated with the development of numerous diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.     Care The Erasmus Hospital Integrated Obesity Centre (CIO)  proposes three care modules for persons who are overweight or obese: intensive coaching, medical interventions (including intergastric balloon or gastric pication) and surgery. Each module is personalised for each patient. As a patient at the CIO you are at the heart of a multidisciplinary team of experts in which you are the key actor in your own care. At each stage you will be accompanied by a team of dieticians, psychologists, endocrinologists, nutritionist doctors, gastroenterologists, surgeons and physiotherapists.    The Integrated Obesity Centre is associated with the Multidisciplinary Obesity Centre for Children located on the HUDERF Campus  that is dedicated to caring for children and adolescents.  These young people receive, on the basis of a medical convention,  multidisciplinary and structured care that is adapted to their needs.    Image Research The treatment of obesity, for adults and children, is constantly evolving.    There are numerous research projects in this area, ranging from theses on dietetics (including in children), physiotherapy, psychology and medicine to drug studies and academic studies. The Integrated Obesity Centre and Multidisciplinary Obesity Centre for Children aim to be at the forefront of research and teaching.   

What is oncofertility? Oncofertility is a medical discipline aimed at preserving the fertility of cancer patients before they begin potentially sterilizing treatments.Why consider fertility before starting cancer treatment?Certain cancer treatments, known as gonadotoxic therapies, can damage the ovaries or testes, leading to a reduction or complete loss of fertility.In girls and young women: This can cause premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).In boys and young women: This can permanently impair sperm production.Therefore, it is essential to address this issue as soon as diagnosis is confirmed, even when treating the disease is urgent. Timely consultation often helps preserve the chances of having a child in the future.The Oncofertility Care Pathway at H.U.BCancer diagnosis receivedReferral to the oncofertility team (by the general practitioner, oncologist, hematologist, pediatrician, etc.)Rapid consultation with our specialized teamAssessment of current fertility and treatment-related risksDiscussion of available optionsImplementation of preservation techniquesPersonalized follow-up after treatment Image A multidisciplinary team by your side At the Brussels University Hospital, a dedicated oncofertility team supports patients throughout their care pathway:Fertility and reproductive specialists (Brussels University Hospital Fertility Clinic)Lead oncologists and hematologistsEndocrinologistsPsychologistsClinical nurse coordinatorsReproductive biologistsWe work in close collaboration with the oncology teams at the Jules Bordet Institute and the pediatric teams at the Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital (HUDERF) to ensure therapeutic priorities are respected while integrating fertility preservation whenever possible.Our specialists Image Dr. Margherita CONDORELLI  Languages: French, Italian, English Prendre rendez-vous Image Dr. Isabelle DEMEESTERE Languages: French, english Prendre rendez-vous Image Dr. David PENINGLanguages: French, Dutch, English Prendre rendez-vous What options are available for fertility preservation? For Girls / Young Women1. Oocyte Cryopreservation (Egg Freezing)Target Audience: Post-pubertal young women (who have started their periods).Procedure: Following hormonal stimulation lasting approximately ten days (similar to an in vitro fertilization protocol), the ovaries produce multiple oocytes. These are then retrieved via ultrasound-guided needle aspiration under light anesthesia and subsequently cryopreserved.Feasibility: Possible if the initiation of cancer treatment can be deferred by 2 to 3 weeks.2. Embryo CryopreservationTarget Audience: Of-age young women in a stable relationship or with a partner, wishing to create embryos.Procedure: Following ovarian stimulation, the retrieved oocytes are fertilized with the partner's (or a donor's) sperm to create embryos, which are then cryopreserved.Key Consideration: Requires a clearly defined, mutual parental project.3. Ovarian Tissue CryopreservationTarget Audience: Pre-pubertal girls or young women for whom hormonal stimulation is contraindicated or not feasible.Procedure: A minor surgical procedure (typically laparoscopy) is performed to biopsy or remove part of an ovary. This tissue is then cryopreserved. It can later be autotransplanted to restore natural ovarian function or enable pregnancy.Advantage: Can be performed on very short notice, without waiting for the menstrual cycle.4. Ovarian Suppression During ChemotherapyTarget Audience: Post-pubertal young women.Procedure: Medications known as GnRH agonists (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone analogues) are administered to induce a temporary medical menopause, effectively putting the ovaries "at rest" during treatment. This is not a standalone fertility preservation method but can help mitigate gonadotoxic damage.Limitations: Less effective than cryopreservation techniques, but serves as a useful adjuvant therapy. For Boys / Young Men1. Sperm Cryopreservation (Semen Banking)Target Audience: Post-pubertal young men.Procedure: Prior to commencing treatment, one or more semen samples are collected (via masturbation) and subsequently cryopreserved.Advantage: Simple, rapid, and non-invasive. Cryopreserved sperm can be stored long-term for several years.2. Testicular Tissue CryopreservationTarget Audience: Pre-pubertal boys (who do not yet produce mature spermatozoa).Procedure: A minor surgical biopsy is performed to extract a small piece of testicular tissue containing spermatogonial stem cells. This tissue is then cryopreserved for future clinical use.Current Status: This method is currently classified as experimental but holds significant promise, particularly for very young patients.Selecting the Appropriate OptionThe clinical decision depends on several variables:The patient’s age and pubertal statusThe specific diagnosis and type of cancerThe clinical urgency to initiate oncological treatmentThe preferences and wishes of the child/adolescent and their familyPotential medical contraindicationsOur multidisciplinary team is here to support you at every stage, explaining the available options, answering your questions, and coordinating care to ensure the timeliest management possible. complementary information Contact Are you about to start a potentially gonadotoxic treatment? Are you unsure whether your treatment could impact your fertility?Contact our Oncofertility specialists by phone without delay!To arrange a sperm cryopreservation for a patient, please contact us by phone at +32(0)2 555 31 95.For any additional, non-urgent inquiries, you can contact us by email at Oncofertilite [dot] FIV [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (Oncofertilite[dot]FIV[at]hubruxelles[dot]be.)