The 87th monthly meeting of the Medically Aware and Responsible Citizens of Hyderabad (MARCH), under the chairmanship of Dr P M Bhargava, has urged immediate installation of PET Scanner (Positron Emission Tomography) in Hyderabad.

The participants in the meeting decided to send a delegation to Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, to convince him to set up this facility in Hyderabad. His permission was required to set up the PET Scanner as the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology under the Atomic Energy Department, has the monopoly to supply radio-isotopes used in the operation of this facility.

The idea to set up a PET Scanner in Hyderabad was mooted by MARCH in the year 1995. The Atomic Energy Department had even selected NIMS among the seven sites suggested for setting up the unit. But the project was virtually snatched away from Hyderabad and was given to Kolkata in the year 1999. But till today that project is in limbo. Meanwhile, a small version of the scanner is being set up in Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, but is not operational as yet.

Radio Isotopes are used in the detection and diagnosis of diseases like cancer. Isotopes emit gamma rays, which pinpoint where exactly a lesion or cyst is. While ordinary X-Rays give a person's anatomical structure, isotopes give even functioning of organs like kidney, lungs, heart, the brain and the central nervous system. In India, we now use Spect Camera, which takes several functional images in seconds which can be transmitted and stored in a computer.

PET cameras using 2D and 3D images are the latest and the most sophisticated which can detect even a 5mm particle or lesion in the body. The camera uses Cyclotron, an ultra short-lived Isotope which is administered into the patients for diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications. Isotopes have a very brief life span, and once produced they must be used within the stipulated time. BRIT supplies Isotopes in cold kits and they are carried in flights to the place of administration. A large PET Scanner would require an Isotope unit attached to it.

According to Dr Bhargava, some corporate hospitals in the city, including Apollo and Medwin, were interested in setting up a joint facility and there was no shortage of funds. He was confident that there would be a positive decision in favour of Hyderabad at their next meeting with Dr Kakodkar.

Dr Jyotsna, who had very good experience in PET scanning in California, made a lively presentation on the basic concept, functioning and applications of PET. She said in India it had wide range of applications, especially in oncology (cancer) and infectious diseases, and limited use in neurology and cardiology. She said even a 5mm tumour, without any clinical symptoms, could be detected by using a PET Scanner. "We know there is cancer, but we cannot locate it. This unknown cancer can be detected by PET." This was also used on persons with violent behaviour, on prisoners and in treating psychiatric cases and so on, Dr Jyotsna said.

The meeting also reviewed the progress on the public debate on ICMR draft guidelines on the increasing number of fertility centres as it involved several ethical and social issues. Open debates were already held in Chennai, Kolkata and Jodhpur. The fourth meeting will be held in Bangalore in January which will be followed by a meeting in Hyderabad on February 16. The final round will be organized by MARCH on February 28 in Hyderabad.