Otosclerosis is an autosomal dominant disease affecting the otic capsule. It is believed to be rare in Asian countries including Malaysia. We analyzed the results of 29 patients (35 ears) who had undergone stapes surgery for suspected otosclerosis from January 1996 to June 2002. The demographic data was analyzed. The procedure most commonly performed was stapedotomy. The closure of air bone gap after surgery was good at 2 kHz and 4 kHz compared to frequency below 2 kHz. Closure of air bone gap to within 10 dB was achieved in 74.3%. About 7.5% of our patients did not gain in average air conduction. The outcome of the procedure is comparable to those reported by authors who used the same evaluation criteria. No serious complications occurred in our patients.
Many children have benefited from cochlear implant device including those with congenital malformation of the inner ear. The results reported in children with malformed cochlea are very encouraging. We describe 2 cases of Mondini's malformation with severe sensorineural hearing loss. Cochlear implantation was performed and both of them underwent post-implantation speech rehabilitation. Post-implantation, both of them were noted to respond to external sound. But the second case developed facial twitching a few months after the device was switched on. It is important to evaluate the severity of the inner ear deformity and the other associated anomalies in pre-implantation radiological assessment in order to identify the problem that may complicate the surgery and subsequent patient management.
For a complete overall rehabilitation of cleft palate patients a multi-disciplinary approach should be adopted. Plastic and Head and Neck Surgeons in whom most of the treatment are entrusted should be concerned not only at achieving palatal function and cosmetic acceptability but also the various other problems associated with cleft palate especially hearing loss. In this study, 66 patients with repaired and unrepaired cleft palates were examined for the presence of hearing loss due to middle ear effusion. The incidence of middle ear effusion was high (57.6%). It was also found that only eight of these patients (12.1%) ever complained of hearing loss or any associated symptoms and repair of the cleft palate did not influence the incidence of middle ear effusion. As such, screening should be done in all cleft palates and otolaryngologists should therefore play an important role in the multi-disciplinary team which should comprise the paediatrician, plastic surgeon, speech therapist, orthodontist and dental specialist.
A retrospective study of cases with carcinoma of the larynx seen in the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and General Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GHKL) between 1981 to 1988 was performed. The aim was to document the distribution and the pattern of behaviour of this tumour amongst our patients. There were 137 cases, the majority of whom were Chinese (54%). The peak incidence was in the seventh decade and the male to female ratio was 7.6:1. The most common symptom at presentation was hoarseness (90%). The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (87%) whilst by site, transglottic involvement was commonest (55%). The overall 3 year survival rate was 68%. Supraglottic carcinoma behaved differently in that a significantly large number presented with dysphagia (33.3%) and neck nodes (42%). Compared to tumours of other sites of the larynx, they had the poorest 3 year survival rate of 50%. Amongst the T2 and T3 tumours, the results of surgery appeared better than primary radiotherapy. Considering that 26% of patients presented with stridor, 20% with neck nodes and 55% with multiple site involvement, it can be concluded that our patients present themselves late.
The use of an autologous ipsilateral internal iliac artery to restore circulation after excision of a ruptured femoral aneurysm in a patient addicted to drugs is described. Autogenous vein graft was not available. The advantages of using the internal iliac artery in this situation are discussed. The use of internal iliac artery graft in this situation has not been previously described in the literature.
Thirty one cases of malignant tumours of the maxillary sinus presenting to the Department of Otolaryngology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia over a four year period from 1982 to 1986 are reviewed. 18 cases (58.1%) were squamous cell carcinoma while seven cases (22.5%) were Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There were four cases (12.0%) of adenoid cystic carcinoma while in two cases (6.5%) the tumours were undifferentiated. Presentation was generally late. Nasal obstruction, facial swelling and epistaxis were the main presenting symptoms. Nasal involvement was found in 61.3% of cases, while 51.6% had involvement of the palate as well. Metastasis to the cervical lymph node were uncommon (6.5%). Surgery and radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy were the main modes of treatment in the management of malignant tumours of the maxillary sinus.
A case of massive pyopneumothorax as a rare sequelae of retropharyngeal abscess following fish bone ingestion is reported. An initial attempt at removal of the fish bone in the oesophagus using the fibroptic oesophagoscope was unsuccessful, causing failure of its removal and the development of this rare and potentially fatal complication. The intercommunication of the retropharyngeal space with other spaces of the neck and thorax that allow this and most other complications to occur is described. Rigid endoscopes are the instrument of choice in retrieving sharp foreign bodies in the oesophagus.
A canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM) is an effective technique for eradication of advanced chronic otitis media or cholesteatomas. A retrospective study was conducted at a Malaysian Tertiary Medical Center between June 1996 to December 2003 to evaluate the outcome of Modified Radical Mastoidectomy(MRM), a form of CWDM for patients with chronic active otitis media (OM) with cholesteatoma, chronic mastoiditis or chronic active OM with cholesteatoma and mastoiditis. All new cases of MRM which fulfilled the selection criteria were reviewed. The main outcome measures were the hearing outcome and status of dry ear postoperatively. A total of 84 patients had undergone CWDM. However only 63 patients (26 male, 37 female) were included for analysis. The age of the patients ranged between 5 months to 72 years (mean, 31years). The majority of the patients (86%) were adults and 9 (14%) were children. The ossicular chain was eroded in 91% (57 cases). There were 33 patients (53%) who showed no improvement of Air Bone Gap (ABG) closure while 16 patients (25%) had a post-operative improvement. The presence or absence of stapes suprastructure was found to be the major factor in determining the amount of ABG (Chi squared test, P = 0.025 preoperatively and P = 0.031 postoperatively). A dry ear was achieved in 78% of patients with 3% recurrence rate. In conclusion, the study showed that a proper MRM gave high percentage of dry ear and this procedure did not worsen the hearing.
The term tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion is used to describe an unusual fibrosclerosing disorder that behaves in a malignant way clinically but is histologically benign. Lesions in the head and neck are believed to be part of the broader fibrosclerosing syndrome which include pseudotumour of the orbit, Reidel's thyroiditis, sclerosing cholangitis and mediastinal fibrosis. Clinical diagnosis is often difficult and relies heavily on histopathology. Steroid therapy is suggested as the first line of management, while surgery or radiation therapy is reserved for failures.
We report a case of left pulmonary artery sling in a child who also had duodenal atresia. He was admitted for respiratory failure requiring prolonged respiratory support due to a bronchiolitis-like illness at two months of age. Diagnostic procedures confirmed the presence of left pulmonary artery sling. He had a corrective procedure which relieved the compression. However postoperatively he had intermittent episodes of severe bronchospasm in addition to a persistent airway obstruction. Finally one such episode of severe bronchospasm did not respond to medical and resuscitative therapy and the baby succumbed. To our knowledge no case of left pulmonary artery sling has been described previously in a Malaysian child. This case also highlights the postoperative airway problems that may be encountered.
Over the last year, the dangerous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly around the world. Malaysia has not been excluded from this COVID-19 pandemic. The resurgence of COVID-19 cases has overwhelmed the public healthcare system and overloaded the healthcare resources. Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia has adopted an Emergency Ordinance (EO) to instruct private hospitals to receive both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients to reduce the strain on public facilities. The treatment of COVID-19 patients at private hospitals could help to boost the bed and critical care occupancy. However, with the absence of insurance coverage because COVID-19 is categorised as pandemic-related diseases, there are some challenges and opportunities posed by the treatment fees management. Another major issue in the collaboration between public and private hospitals is the willingness of private medical consultants to participate in the management of COVID-19 patients, because medical consultants in private hospitals in Malaysia are not hospital employees, but what are termed "private contractors" who provide patient care services to the hospitals. Other collaborative measures with private healthcare providers, e.g. tele-conferencing by private medical clinics to monitor COVID-19 patients and the rollout of national vaccination programme. The public and private healthcare partnership must be enhanced, and continue to find effective ways to collaborate further to combat the pandemic. The MOH, private healthcare sectors and insurance providers need to have a synergistic COVID-19 treatment plans to ensure public as well as insurance policy holders have equal opportunities for COVID-19 screening tests, vaccinations and treatment.