Scan rules out brain tumour for Wang Dan

Exiled Tiananmen Square protest leader Wang Dan was due to arrive in New York early this morning Hong Kong-time after doctors released him from a Detroit hospital with an almost clean bill of health.

After rigorous medical tests, including a brain scan, physicians at the Henry Ford Hospital ruled out a brain tumour and said Mr Wang was suffering only from mild asthma and weak eyesight.

Mr Wang had a cough, probably caused by an allergy and headaches, due to poor eyesight not properly corrected in China, said physician Dr Thomas Royer, the medical director at Henry Ford, who co-ordinated Mr Wang's treatment.

'I think he's in pretty good shape,' said Dr Robert Hyzy, a critical care specialist who has treated Mr Wang since his arrival.

Mr Wang's pulmonary and neurological functions were normal and a magnetic resonance imaging test of his brain showed no abnormalities.

'Any issue of a brain tumour was definitely laid to rest,' Dr Hyzy said.

The doctors refused to speculate whether Mr Wang's years of imprisonment had caused his health problems.