A scan of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's brain today showed a "small improvement" but doctors could not not yet conclude that the threat to his life had passed, a hospital official said.
Shlomo Mor-Yosef, director of Jerusalem's Hadassah hospital, told reporters that Mr Sharon remained in critical but stable condition after emergency surgery staunched bleeding in his brain from a massive stroke.
In his first briefing on the prime minister's condition in more than 24 hours, Hadassah Hospital director Dr Mor-Yosef said: "First we have to stabilise the situation and fight for the life of the prime minister.
"Then we will be able to evaluate the different neurological findings."
Asked whether Mr Sharon's life could be saved, he replied, "We believe it's possible."
When waking Mr Sharon out of his coma, doctors will be "looking for some sort of response," Dr Mor-Yosef said.
"If there is no response, that would be bad news."
Mr Sharon was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday after suffering a debilitating stroke. He has since undergone surgery twice to stop bleeding and relieve pressure inside his skull.
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