Virani says she needs this for two reasons: For posterity, given the uniqueness of Aruna's case, and to refer Aruna's medical records to other doctors to see if she can be helped in any way. However, Dr Lata Bichile, head of the medicine department, said she is ``unwilling to take any risk''.

In a faxed letter to Dr Pradnya Pai, KEM dean, Virani requested that the hospital carry out an MRI of Aruna's brain to explore that ``slim chance might help her spend the rest of her life in some measure of comfort.'' Virani asserted that ``therapeutic nihilism is unfair to Aruna,'' and claimed that as she is undergoing physical pain, an MRIcould ``pin-point those brain parts which could be administered new-age drugs, which would at least ease her continuous pain.''

An MRI was scheduled at Jaslok hospital on August 18 by leading neuro-psychiatrist Dr Rajesh Parikh. However, Dr Bichile told Virani that an MRI was not necessary, as the patient would not benefit from any treatment. Subsequently, Dr Bichile agreed to do a CT scan at KEM itself.

Dr Bichile said three weeks ago, she had tried to sedate Aruna, but it had only led to her becoming violent. ``She could not be sedated even though we gave maximum dosage. Instead, she went on screaming for two to three hours,'' she elaborated. A CT scan, Bichile added, would only help in getting a picture of the ``structural damage the brain has incurred.'' This, she added, would be of no medical help to the patient. It might sustain academic interest as pointed out by Virani, she conceded. But she reiterated that she would not like to take a risk if the patient has to be administered anesthesia for anMRI. Dr Pai informed that the decision to carry out a CT scan lay with the doctor administering the treatment. ``If it will help Aruna or any other patient, then there is no harm. But if it is just an academic exercise, why subject the patient to a transfer?'' she questioned.

Senior neurologists confirm that while a scan will have no negative effect on Aruna's condition, its usefulness is suspect. While a CT scan can be conducted without harming Aruna, it will not ease her pain. Rather, it will only give facts about the cerebral atrophy caused to her brain, they said, and could be an academic exercise at best.

Virani has also expressed her willingness to take the responsibility of signing any medical papers besides payments to facilitate Aruna's brain examination.