MEN type IIa syndrome: Dilemmas in modern management

With the use of newer techniques, the multiple endocrine neoplasm II-A syndrome can now be diagnosed early in its evolution. This article discusses the clinical course of the syndrome, the diagnostic modalities employed, and the therapeutic interventions required. An approach to the individual patient with this syndrome is presented.     

CT scan changes in multiple sclerosis among Malaysian patients

Summary A study of 12 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) using high dose infusion CT showed overall abnormality of 75% with an average of 2.5 lesions per patient. 75% of the patients showed abnormality of the cerebrum, mostly asymptomatic. The main changes were ventricular dilatation and asymmetry, isolated or generalized cerebral atrophy, areas of low attenuation mainly in the deeper parts of the cerebrum and the peri-ventricular area. 25% of the patients showed changes in the brainstem and none was seen in the cerebellum. The abnormality was more florid in patients with clinically disseminated forms of the disease. The study demonstrated that asymptomatic cerebral involvement is common among Asian patients with MS and CT is a useful tool in the overall assessment and diagnosis of Asian MS patients.     

Dilemmas in the 18-week morphology scan: a review

The 18-20-week obstetric ultrasound scan is a commonly performed radiological investigation. The sonographic abnormalities demonstrated and management implications change frequently. A tertiary referral centre such as the Women's and Children's Hospital receives many queries from radiologists regarding the further management of their patients. The more common problems have been addressed by using a systematic approach to fetal anatomy, and emphasis is placed on the need for standardized protocols. The object of this review is to provide an obstetric morphology scan update.     

An investigation into the CSI effect on the Malaysian population

For more than a lot of decade, a work has been done to examine the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) effect on jurors and forensic graduates. As a continuing effort, this study employed a self-administered survey to re-examine the CSI effect from a Hong Kong drama series called Forensic Heroes 3 on the public. The results obtained from 131 participants imply that the CSI effect received and manifested by 65 viewers could both be constructive (e.g. portraying realities) and destructive (e.g. reinforcing misconceptions). The selected drama series enhanced the viewers’ beliefs toward two categories, namely forensic scientists and the profession, as well as forensic evidence and investigation. It could also have misrepresented several forensic aspects, leading viewers to misconceptions or uncertainties. Despite the negative impact, the forensics-themed program could be used as an educational tool to educate the public since it also disseminates realistic and factual information to the viewers. Finally, the overall study highlights that claims of CSI effects associated with the general belief in forensic science, and 20 question items raised in the questionnaire, were insignificant.     

Physical and physiological profiles of Malaysian dragon boat rowers.

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and maximal workload attained (WLmax) were determined in 28 Malaysian dragon boat rowers who were exercised to exhaustion on an arm ergometer. Mean VO2max was 2.75 l min-1 at a mean WLmax of 195.5 W. Anaerobic endurance power of the arms, determined by cranking at 100 RPM at a workload of 400 W and the time taken to maintain the cadence until it fell to 75 RPM, was 34.9(+/- 2.3) s. Leg performance, as determined by standing long jump and vertical jump, was 140.0(+/- 4.5) kg m and 100.3(+/- 3.1) kg m s-1 respectively. Right hand grip strength was significantly (p < 0.001) greater than the left hand. Percentage body fat of the rowers was 11.8(+/- 0.6)%. These values represent the first measurements of their kind performed on dragon boat rowers in Malaysia.     

Regression analysis for stature estimation from foot anthropometry in Malaysian Chinese

Dismembered human remains are frequently found in cases of mass disasters and criminal mutilation. It is therefore of interest to use foot dimensions for the determination of stature of an individual in order to assist in establishing personal identity. This is the first systematic study conducted for the estimation of stature from foot measurements in the Malaysian Chinese. In this study, consenting 213 Chinese (107 males and 106 females) individuals who were between 20 to 64 years old were randomly selected and their stature, foot length and foot breadth were measured. Evidently, sexual dimorphism does exist in foot dimensions. Simple and multiple linear regression equations with and without sex indicators were specifically developed for stature estimation of the Chinese population in Malaysia. Foot measurements are found to yield important predictive information about an individual's stature.     

Mammographic breast glandularity in Malaysian women: data derived from radiography

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to estimate mammographic breast glandularity in Malaysian women from radiographic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mammography X-ray unit was used to expose different thicknesses of phantom material of varying glandular and adipose composition at 27 kV. A least squares method was then used to fit the combined data of phantom glandularity, thickness, and milliampere-seconds. The subsequent fitted equation was then applied to calculate breast glandularity for 705 women who underwent diagnostic mammography, who were drawn equally from the three major ethnic groups of Malaysia: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. The difference in breast glandularity among ethnic groups was tested for significance using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The fitted equation gave an absolute error of less than or equal to +/- 8% when applied to the data from phantom exposure. The average breast glandularity of the study sample was 48.9% +/- 18.7%. Breast glandularity was found to decrease with breast thickness and age. CONCLUSION: No significant difference was seen in breast glandularity among the ethnic groups (p > 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test).     

破伤风被动免疫应用的误区

破伤风是破伤风杆菌所致的急性传染病,病死率高.人工免疫是最有效的预防办法.但临床在应用破伤风被动免疫适应证上存在许多误区,一方面造成巨大医疗资源的浪费,另一方面应该应用被动免疫破伤风抗毒素(TAT)或破伤风免疫球蛋白(TIG)而没有应用,24小时后应用被动免疫是否有效?及时应用是否就一定不患破伤风,笔者就此阐述自己的观点.     

Air-trapping zone surrounding sclerosing hemangioma of the lung

We present two cases of sclerosing hemangioma of the lung with a peculiar radiologic finding: an air-trapping zone surrounding the tumor. On microscopic examinations, the tumor was of the hemangiomatous subtype, and the radiolucent zone corresponded to enlarged alveoli with septal destruction. A possible mechanism in the production of an air-trapping zone around a sclerosing hemangioma is bleeding from the highly vascular tumor followed by expectoration in communication with an airway. We reviewed the literature on the air meniscus sign in sclerosing hemangioma and concluded that although it is not a common finding, it could be of help in the confident diagnosis of sclerosing hemangioma and in differentiating it from other benign tumors of the lung.