Cholesterol granuloma in the paranasal sinuses is rare. It is more common in the mastoid antrum and temporal bone air cells in chronic middle ear disease. A case of bilateral maxillary sinus cholesterol granuloma that mimics chronic maxillary sinusitis is reported. This is the first reported case of cholesterol granuloma of the maxillary sinus in the Malaysian Literature.
This paper uses wavelets in the detection comparison of breast cancer among the three main races in Malaysia: Chinese, Malays, and Indians followed by a system that evaluates the radiologist's findings over a period of time to gauge the radiologist's skills in confirming breast cancer cases. The db4 wavelet has been utilized to detect microcalcifications in mammogram-digitized images obtained from Malaysian women sample. The wavelet filter's detection evaluation was done by visual inspection by an expert radiologist to confirm the detection results of those pixels that corresponded to microcalcifications. Detection was counted if the wavelet-detected pixels corresponded to the radiologist's identified microcalcification pixels. After the radiologist's detection confirmation a new client-server radiologist recording and evaluation system is designed to evaluate the findings of the radiologist over some period of cancer detection working time. It is a system that records the findings of the Malaysian radiologist for the presence of breast cancer in Malaysian patients and provides a way of registering the progress of detecting breast cancer of the radiologist by tracking certain metric values such as the sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operator curve (ROC). The initial findings suggest that no single race mammograms are easier for wavelets' detections of microcalcifications and for the radiologist confirmation even though for this study the Chinese race samples detection average were a few percentages less than the other two races, namely the Malay and Indian races.
Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/radiography*; Calcinosis/radiography*
The aim of this study is to evaluate the satisfaction of patients with posterior implants in relation to the clinical success criteria and surface electromyography (sEMG) findings of the masseter and temporalis muscles. Total 42 subjects were investigated. Twenty one subjects with posterior dental implants were interviewed using a questionnaire and the clinical success criteria were determined based on The International Congress of Oral Implantologists. The myofunction of the masticatory muscles were assessed using sEMG (21 subjects) and compared to the control group of subjects without implants (21 subjects). Out of 21 subjects, all were satisfied with the aesthetics of their implant. Twenty of them (95.2%) were satisfied with its function and stability. As for clinical criteria, 100% (50) of the implants were successful with no pain, mobility or exudates. sEMG findings showed that patients have significantly lower (p<0.01) basal or resting median power frequency but with muscle burst. During chewing, control subjects showed faster chewing action. There was no difference in reaction and recovery time of clenching for both groups. In conclusion, the satisfaction of implant patients was high, and which was in relation to the successful clinical success criteria and sEMG findings.
The third molar development (TMD) has been widely utilized as one of the radiographic method for dental age estimation. By using the same radiograph of the same individual, third molar eruption (TME) information can be incorporated to the TMD regression model. This study aims to evaluate the performance of dental age estimation in individual method models and the combined model (TMD and TME) based on the classic regressions of multiple linear and principal component analysis. A sample of 705 digital panoramic radiographs of Malay sub-adults aged between 14.1 and 23.8 years was collected. The techniques described by Gleiser and Hunt (modified by Kohler) and Olze were employed to stage the TMD and TME, respectively. The data was divided to develop three respective models based on the two regressions of multiple linear and principal component analysis. The trained models were then validated on the test sample and the accuracy of age prediction was compared between each model. The coefficient of determination (R²) and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated. In both genders, adjusted R² yielded an increment in the linear regressions of combined model as compared to the individual models. The overall decrease in RMSE was detected in combined model as compared to TMD (0.03-0.06) and TME (0.2-0.8). In principal component regression, low value of adjusted R(2) and high RMSE except in male were exhibited in combined model. Dental age estimation is better predicted using combined model in multiple linear regression models.
Computerized tomographic angiography (3D data representing the coronary arteries) and X-ray angiography (2D X-ray image sequences providing information about coronary arteries and their stenosis) are standard and popular assessment tools utilized for medical diagnosis of coronary artery diseases. At present, the results of both modalities are individually analyzed by specialists and it is difficult for them to mentally connect the details of these two techniques. The aim of this work is to assist medical diagnosis by providing specialists with the relationship between computerized tomographic angiography and X-ray angiography.
Neurological deficit after surgery for spinal deformity is a rare but devastating complication. Factors that have been associated with a post surgical deficit are congenital curves, large curves, kyphotic deformities, anterior and posterior surgery, ligation of multiple anterior vessels and hypotension; controlled or otherwise. Intra operative wake up tests have been used alone or in combination with spinal cord monitoring: to detect evolving neurological deficit in spinal deformity surgery. Despite these checks, major neurological deficits still occur post surgery. This is a report of two cases with normal intra operative wake up tests, but developed neurological deficit twelve hours after the end of surgery.
Matched MeSH terms: Nervous System Diseases/radiography; Spine/radiography
We present a case of rare pitfall in the diagnosis of an oesophageal foreign body due to the calcified vertical plate of the cricoid to highlight the need to be aware of this entity to avoid unnecessary morbidity.
We report a rare tumour of the nasopharynx- papillary adenocarcinoma. This is usually of low grade and certainly in out patient it behaved so. It is even rarer to have this tumour in a patient with Turner's syndrome in whom there is a high incidence of gynaecological malignancy. It has not previously been documented and the occurrence in this patient is probably coincidental.
A 10-month-old boy underwent operation to close a large secundum atrial septal defect and multiple muscular ventricular septal defects. Closure of the ventricular septal defects was unsuccessful and led to worsening cardiac failure and inability to wean the patient from mechanical ventilation. Transcatheter closure of the ventricular septal defects using Gianturco coils was undertaken. This technique is an effective alternative for closure of multiple muscular ventricular septal defects in infants and small children.
A 6-year-old Malay boy presented with fever and abdominal pain for 2 months. Computerised tomography showed a nodular mass in the left lobe of the liver. There was also portal vein thrombosis on the left side. Serum alpha-fetoprotein was not elevated and Hepatitis B antigen was negative. Biopsy of the liver mass led to a histological diagnosis of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. In view of extensive tumour involvement, he could not be operated on but was treated with chemotherapy. However, the tumour did not respond. While this is expected for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, the possibility of the tumour having a component of ordinary hepatocellular carcinoma could not be excluded as the tumour was not resected. Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare histological subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma, associated with a better prognosis. It affects the younger age group and has no association with cirrhosis, hepatitis B virus infection or exposure to oral contraceptives, all of which are implicated in ordinary hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level is usually within normal limits and other laboratory values are not contributory to the diagnosis. The diagnosis is usually suggested by radiographic studies viz. CT scan of the abdomen, which would show an irregular non-homogenous mass in the liver, and confirmed by histological examination. The most characteristic microscopical feature is fibrosis arranged in a lamellar fashion around polygonal and deeply eosinophilic neoplastic hepatocytes.
Dysphagia due to osteophytes in a young person is uncommon. We present a rare case of Forestier's disease causing dysphagia in a young lady without other bony involvement. The osteophytes were surgically removed and her symptoms resolved completely.
A 52 year old Chinese woman with a 25 year history of sicca syndrome (primary Sjogrens syndrome) was investigated for 3 episodes of haemoptysis. Clinical examination was unremarkable except for the presence of dry eyes and xerostomia. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a lobulated mass in the posterior basal segment of the left lower lobe. Histopathological examination of this resected nodule confirmed the diagnosis of nodular amyloidosis. The normal radiolabelled serum amyloid P component scintigraphy and the absence of monoclonal plasma cell dyscrasia in the bone marrow strongly support the diagnosis of localised nodular pulmonary AL amyloidosis in this patient. Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis can be associated with sicca syndrome and often simulates bronchogenic carcinoma, bronchiectasis or pulmonary tuberculosis.
Lower lip numbness has always been a sinister symptom. Much has been written about it being the sole symptom of pathological lesions and metastatic tumours in the mandible. It may also be a symptom of manifestations of certain systemic disorders. A case of lower lip numbness resulting from the compression of the mental nerve by a peri-radicular abscess is presented because of the unusual nature of this spread of infection.
We studied the curve progression of untreated curves presenting to the Scoliosis Service of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. One hundred and fifty-two (152) patients were included in this study. The median rate of curve progression of idiopathic scoliosis curves was 7.03 degrees per year, for neuromuscular scoliosis curves was 17.39 degrees per year; and congenital scoliosis curves were 3.67 degrees per year. These rates are similar to the reported rates in the literature. Data for sixty-one (61) surgically treated patients were reviewed to determine the early curve correction of the curves of different aetiology. The mean age of surgery was 14.15 years old, the mean preoperative curve size was 71.61 degrees; and the mean postoperative curve size was 43.78 degrees. The mean duration of follow up after surgery was 2.44 years. The revision and removal of instrumentation rate was 8.3%.
We report two cases of large chest wall primary chondrosarcoma, one of the sternum and the other of the lateral chest wall. Both were treated by radical resection and reconstruction using marlex mesh and methyl methacrylate "sandwich" prosthesis and pedicled latissiumus dorsi flap.
We are describing 21 limb reconstruction procedures performed in 18 patients with the use of external fixators from 1996 to 1998. The average age of patients was 21, ranging from 1 to 50 years old. Indications for surgery included short limb, non-union, pseudoarthrosis and bone or soft tissue deformities. Average length obtained for cases of limb lengthening was 6 cm. All the seven clubfoot deformities in five children were fully corrected. Equinus deformity recurred in one foot and was treated with supramalleolar osteotomy. Out of the seven cases with infected nonunion and bone loss, three failed to achieve union and required additional bone grafting procedures. One patient with unilateral external fixator for the correction of tibia shortening developed valgus deformity.
This paper reviews the oral and dental lesions that are seen during pregnancy. Trimester approach should be adopted in the management of the pregnant patients. A good dental preventive programme is essential. The significance of prescribing fluoride supplements and the use of dental radiography during pregnancy is also briefly reviewed.