optiscan abc news, page-2

Patients suspected of having coeliac disease can now have their diagnosis instantly confirmed.

The new technology means patients do not have to wait weeks before knowing if they have the condition.

Coeliac disease occurs when patients cannot break down gluten found in wheat and many other cereals.

Patients can suffer gastric symptoms and other conditions such as osteoporosis.

Until now doctors have had to do a blood test and then a biopsy to see if patients had the illness.

Australian doctors have developed a high powered microscope which magnifies the cells in the body 1000 times, allowing an instant diagnosis.

A study released today found the microscope was an accurate way to diagnose patients.

Doctors plan to use it to diagnose Crohns disease and early bowel cancer.

Dave R.