MyMedR

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 29 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Scalene myofascial pain syndrome mimicking cervical disc prolapse: a report of two cases

Abd Jalil N, Awang MS, Omar M

Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):60-6.
PMID: 22135529 MyJurnal

Scalene myofascial pain syndrome is a regional pain syndrome wherein pain originates over the neck area and radiates down to the arm. This condition may present as primary or secondary to underlying cervical pathology. Although scalene myofascial pain syndrome is a well known medical entity, it is often misdiagnosed as being some other neck pain associated with radiculopathy, such as cervical disc prolapse, cervical spinal stenosis and thoracic outlet syndrome. Because scalene myofascial pain syndrome mimics cervical radiculopathy, this condition often leads to mismanagement, which can, in turn, result in persistent pain and suffering. In the worst-case scenarios, patients may be subjected to unjustifiable surgical intervention. Because the clinical findings in scalene myofascial pain syndrome are "pathognomonic", clinicians should be aware of ways to recognize this disorder and be able to differentiate it from other conditions that present with neck pain and rediculopathy. We present two cases of unilateral scalene myofascial pain syndrome that significantly impaired the patients' functioning and quality of life. This case report serves to create awareness about the existence of the syndrome and to highlight the potential morbidity due to clinical misdiagnosis.
Fulltext Retrospective review of outcomes of a multimodal chronic pain service in a major teaching hospital: a preliminary experience in universiti sains malaysia

Abdul Jalil N, Sulaiman Z, Awang MS, Omar M

Malays J Med Sci, 2009 Oct;16(4):55-65.
PMID: 22135513

Chronic pain is a common medical issue. Beside chronic devastating pain, patients also suffer dysfunction more generally, including in the physical, emotional, social, recreational, vocational, financial, and legal spheres. Integrated multidisciplinary and multimodal chronic pain management programmes offer clear evidence for relief of suffering and return to functional lifestyles.
Emergency department discharge instruction for mild traumatic brain injury: Evaluation on readability, understandability, actionability and content

Abdul Rahman N', Nurumal MS, Awang MS, Mohd Shah ANS

Australas Emerg Care, 2020 Dec;23(4):240-246.
PMID: 32713770 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2020.06.005

INTRODUCTION: Emergency departments (EDs) routinely provide discharge instructions due to a large number of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) being discharged home directly from ED. This study aims to evaluate the quality of available mTBI discharge instructions provided by EDs of Malaysia government hospitals.
METHODS: All 132 EDs were requested for a copy of written discharge instruction given to the patients. The mTBI discharge instructions were evaluated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment-Printable Tool (PEMAT-P) for understandability and actionability. Readability was measured using an online readability tool of Malay text. The content was compared against the discharge instructions recommended by established guidelines.
RESULTS: 49 articles were eligible for the study. 26 of the articles met the criteria of understandability, and 3 met the criteria for actionability. The average readability level met the ability of average adult. Most of the discharge instructions focused on emergency symptoms, and none contained post-concussion features.
CONCLUSION: Majority of the discharge instructions provided were appropriate for average people to read but difficult to understand and act upon. Important information was neglected in most discharge instructions. Thus, revision and future development of mTBI discharge instruction should consider health literacy demand and cognitive ability to process such information.
Fulltext History of Neurosurgery in Malaysia: The Past, Present and Future

Abdullah FC, Zakaria Z, Thambinayagam HC, Kandasamy R, Alias A, Abu Bakar A, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Dec;28(6):129-185.
PMID: 35002497 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.6.13

The history of neurosurgery in Malaysia traces back to 1962 and is filled with stories of vibrant and humble neurosurgeons who have dedicated their life to patients and professions. The early development of neurological and neurosurgical services begins from the establishment of the neurosurgery unit at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), followed by the foundation of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Neuroscience Institute (IKTAR). Due to the exponentially increased demand for the care of neurosurgical patients, many universities and government hospitals have opened their neurosurgical units. In 2001, the formal residency training programme (USM Masters in Neurosurgery) started and since then has produced qualified neurosurgeons that empowered and shaped the present generation. The formation of the Neurosurgical Association of Malaysia (NAM) is another turning point towards bidirectional collaboration with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). Many opportunities were created for educational activities and the expansion of subspecialties in neurosurgery. This article describes the impact of the past neurosurgeons and the endeavors that they had gone through; the present neurosurgeons who pioneered the current neurosurgical services in Malaysia, and the future neurosurgeons that will continue the legacy and bring neurosurgery further ahead in this country.
A preliminary study of using active vision guided robotic arm for bone drilling in a developing country

Abdullah MZ, Awang MS, Tan YC, Abdullah JM

J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg, 2014 Mar;75(2):155-7.
PMID: 23636911 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1330954

The study assesses the capability and accuracy of a robotic arm to perform burr holes.
Fulltext Advancement in Salmonella Detection Methods: From Conventional to Electrochemical-Based Sensing Detection

Awang MS, Bustami Y, Hamzah HH, Zambry NS, Najib MA, Khalid MF, et al.

Biosensors (Basel), 2021 Sep 18;11(9).
PMID: 34562936 DOI: 10.3390/bios11090346

Large-scale food-borne outbreaks caused by Salmonella are rarely seen nowadays, thanks to the advanced nature of the medical system. However, small, localised outbreaks in certain regions still exist and could possess a huge threat to the public health if eradication measure is not initiated. This review discusses the progress of Salmonella detection approaches covering their basic principles, characteristics, applications, and performances. Conventional Salmonella detection is usually performed using a culture-based method, which is time-consuming, labour intensive, and unsuitable for on-site testing and high-throughput analysis. To date, there are many detection methods with a unique detection system available for Salmonella detection utilising immunological-based techniques, molecular-based techniques, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, optical phenotyping, and biosensor methods. The electrochemical biosensor has growing interest in Salmonella detection mainly due to its excellent sensitivity, rapidity, and portability. The use of a highly specific bioreceptor, such as aptamers, and the application of nanomaterials are contributing factors to these excellent characteristics. Furthermore, insight on the types of biorecognition elements, the principles of electrochemical transduction elements, and the miniaturisation potential of electrochemical biosensors are discussed.
Nerve conduction study of healthy Asian Malays: the influence of age on median, ulnar, and sural nerves

Awang MS, Abdullah JM, Abdullah MR, Tahir A, Tharakan J, Prasad A, et al.

Med Sci Monit, 2007 Jul;13(7):CR330-2.
PMID: 17599028

Nerve conduction study is essential in the diagnosis of focal neuropathies and diffuse polyneuropathies. There are many factors that can affect nerve conduction velocity, and age is one of them. Most of the many studies of this effect, and the values from them, were on Caucasian subjects. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of age on conduction velocity among healthy Asian Malay subjects by analyzing its influence on the median, ulnar, and sural nerves.
Fulltext Robotic neurosurgery: a preliminary study using an active vision-guided robotic arm for bone drilling and endoscopic manoeuvres

Awang MS, Abdullah MZ

Malays J Med Sci, 2011 Apr;18(2):53-7.
PMID: 22135587 MyJurnal

Surgical robots have been appearing in operating rooms over the past decade, and neurosurgery has been one of the pioneers in this area. In neurosurgery, the clinical use of robots has been limited to stereotactic procedures and endoscopic manoeuvres, although the brain is a unique organ and well-suited for robotic application. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of our vision-guided robotic system to perform basic neurosurgical procedures.
Fulltext Prevalence of Postconcussion Syndrome after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Adults from a Single Neurosurgical Center in East Coast of Malaysia

Balakrishnan B, Rus RM, Chan KH, Martin AG, Awang MS

Asian J Neurosurg, 2019 4 3;14(1):201-205.
PMID: 30937035 DOI: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_49_18

Context: Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) is a set of symptoms occurred after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Aims: This study aims to determine the prevalence of PCS in a young adult population from a single Neurological Centre in Malaysia's East Coast and to evaluate the factors associated with PCS in MTBI patients.
Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a Neurological Centre at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, from January 2016 to December 2016.
Subjects and Methods: A total of 209 patients; 133 males and 76 females, in the age range of 16-84 years, were randomly recruited for this study. All the selected patients were subjected to the checklist for diagnosis of PCS as per International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th edition classification at a 2-week interval.
Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistic and Multivariable Logistic Regression Model were used for frequency and percentage analyses of categorical variables, using SPSS version 23.0.
Results: Only 20 patients were identified with PCS. There were more female (70%) patients with PCS than the male (30%) patients. The prevalence of PCS for 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months since injuries were 9.6%, 8.1%, and 8.1% respectively. Majority (80%) of the patients were found to have PCS due to road traffic accidents, while the remaining were attributed to assault (15%), and falls (5%). Among the sample population, 25% were smokers, while 10% of them had either skull fracture or premorbidity.
Conclusion: Less than 10% of patients with MTBI had PCS after 6 months' following trauma. None of the variables tested were significant factors for the development of PCS symptoms.
Fulltext A Rare Case of Salter-Harris Type I Growth Plate Injury in a Patient Undergoing Limb-Lengthening Procedure

Esmat SM, Sulong AF, Awang MS, Oon ZS, Mohd Yusof N

Cureus, 2023 Aug;15(8):e43448.
PMID: 37711923 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43448

Growth plate injuries over the distal femur typically occur due to high-energy trauma. It is commonly associated with serious complications such as growth disturbance. Its occurrence in children undergoing limb-lengthening procedures is uncommon. We report a case of distal femur growth plate injury in a 13-year-old boy undergoing a limb-lengthening procedure for femoral hypoplasia. Conservative treatment yielded a good functional outcome in this patient.
Fulltext Case report: a rare case of pediatric conus medularis glioblastoma multiforme

Gee TS, Ghani ARI, Idris B, Awang MS

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Aug;67(4):438-41.
PMID: 23082462 MyJurnal
Fulltext Biomechanical Analysis of Crossed Pinning Construct in Supracondylar Fracture of Humerus: Does the Point of Crossing Matter?

Hanim A, Wafiuddin M, Azfar MA, Awang MS, Nik Abdul Adel NA

Cureus, 2021 Mar 22;13(3):e14043.
PMID: 33898129 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14043

Introduction This appears to be the first biomechanical study that compares the stability of various locations of the crossing points in crossed pinning Kirschner wiring (K-wire) construct in treating pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture (SCHF). Additionally, this study compared the biomechanical stability between crossed pinning K-wire construct and the three-lateral divergent K-wire construct. Methods For the study purpose, 30 synthetic humerus bones were osteotomised at mid-olecranon fossa, anatomically reduced, and pinned using two 1.6-millimeter K-wires in five different constructs. A total of six samples were prepared for each construct and tested for extension, flexion, valgus, varus, internal rotation, and external rotation forces. Results As for crossed pinning K-wire construct, the center crossing point emerged as the stiffest construct in both linear and rotational forces, in comparison to the lateral crossing point, superior crossing, and medial crossing point Conclusion Based on this analysis, it is highly recommended that, if the crossed pinning construct is selected to treat supracondylar humerus fracture, the surgeon should aim for center crossing point as it is the most stable construct. Nevertheless, if lateral and superior crossing points are obtained during the initial attempt of fixation, the fixation may be accepted without revising the K-wire as the stability of these two constructs are comparable and portrayed no significant difference when compared to that of the center crossing point. Additionally, it is essential to avoid the medial crossing point as it is significantly less stable in terms of rotational force when compared to the center crossing point.
Outcome of severe traumatic brain injury: comparison of three monitoring approaches

Isa R, Wan Adnan WA, Ghazali G, Idris Z, Ghani AR, Sayuthi S, et al.

Neurosurg Focus, 2003 Dec 15;15(6):E1.
PMID: 15305837

The determination of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is regarded as vital in monitoring patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Besides indicating the status of cerebral blood flow (CBF), it also reveals the status of intracranial pressure (ICP). The abnormal or suboptimal level of CPP is commonly correlated with high values of ICP and therefore with poor patient outcomes. Eighty-two patients were divided into three groups of patients receiving treatment based on CPP and CBF, ICP alone, and conservative methods during two different observation periods. The characteristics of these three groups were compared based on age, sex, time between injury and hospital arrival, Glasgow Coma Scale score, pupillary reaction to light, surgical intervention, and computerized tomography scanning findings according to the Marshall classification system. Only time between injury and arrival (p = 0.001) was statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportions of good outcomes between the multimodality group compared with the group of patients that underwent a single intracranial-based monitoring method and the group that received no monitoring (p = 0.003) based on a disability rating scale after a follow up of 12 months. Death was the focus of outcome in this study in which the multimodality approach to monitoring had superior results.
The role of a high augmentation index in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage to prognosticate mortality

Keong LH, Ghani AR, Awang MS, Sayuthi S, Idris B, Abdullah JM

Acta Neurochir. Suppl., 2011;111:375-9.
PMID: 21725785 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7091-0693-8_63

The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic value of a high augmentation index, which was a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The outcome was divided into two groups in which the following data were collected in a computer running SphygmoCor CvMS software version 8.2. Logistic regression analysis was carried out among significant variables to identify an independent predictor of 6-month outcome and mortality. Sixty patients were recruited into the study. Admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.450-0.971; P=0.035), total white cell count (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.028-1.453; P=0.023) and hematoma volume (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.024-1.204; P=0.011) were found to be statistically significant for identifying poor 6-month outcome in multivariate analysis. Factors independently associated with mortality were a high augmentation index (OR, 8.6; 95% CI, 1.794-40.940; P=0.007) and midline shift (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 1.809-31.004; P=0.005). Admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, total white cell count and hematoma volume were significant predictors for poor 6-month outcome, and a high augmentation index and midline shift were predictors for 6-month mortality in this study.
Fulltext Scurvy: A Neglected Cause of Muscle Pain and Weakness in a Child With Picky Eating Behavior

Kow RY, Nik Abdul Adel NA, Abdul Razak AH, Low CL, Awang MS

Cureus, 2021 Jul;13(7):e16289.
PMID: 34405060 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16289

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an essential micronutrient that the human's body cannot synthesize endogenously. Scurvy, a disease of ascorbic acid deficiency, can manifest in a myriad of presentations. Due to its rarity in the modern world, scurvy is considered as a disease of the past. We present a paediatric case of scurvy with musculoskeletal manifestations as a result of picky eating behavior. We report a previously healthy nine-year-old boy who presented with unexplained progressive bilateral lower limb generalized weakness and pain for two months. All initial biochemical and radiological investigations were unremarkable. Upon further history taking, he had severe picky eating behavior which raised the suspicion of scurvy. The diagnosis was confirmed with a serum ascorbic acid test. After ascorbic acid supplementation, his symptoms resolved immediately. Further food behavioral modification counselling to his family members helped to change his diet in a lasting way. As a result, he had no recurrence of symptoms. This case highlights the importance of having a high index of suspicion for an uncommon disease and emphasizes the need for a detailed dietary history upon patient's presentation.
Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Infants and Toddlers: An Unexplored Area

Kow RY, Low CL, Awang MS

J Invest Surg, 2023 12;36(1):1-2.
PMID: 36345727 DOI: 10.1080/08941939.2022.2136803
Fulltext Role of high augmentation index in spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage

Lee HK, Ghani AR, Awang MS, Sayuthi S, Idris B, Abdullah JM

Asian J Surg, 2010 Jan;33(1):42-50.
PMID: 20497882 DOI: 10.1016/S1015-9584(10)60008-5

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is the most disabling and least treatable form of stroke. Its risk factors include old age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking and high alcohol intake, which are also associated with arterial stiffness. The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic value of high augmentation index (AI), which is a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness, in patients with spontaneous ICH.
Functional Outcomes 6 Months After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Following Admission Into Intensive Care Unit: A Cohort Study in Two Tertiary Hospitals

Ludin SM, Rashid NA, Awang MS, Nor MBM

Clin Nurs Res, 2019 09;28(7):830-851.
PMID: 29618232 DOI: 10.1177/1054773818767551

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors show physical and functional improvements but continue to have cognitive and psychosocial problems throughout recovery. However, the functional outcome of severe TBI in Malaysia is unknown. The objective of this study is to measure the functional outcomes of severe TBI within 6 months post-injury. A cohort study was done on 33 severe TBI survivors. The Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) was used in this study. The mean age of the participants was 31.79 years (range: 16-73 years). The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ²(5, N = 33) = 29.09, p < .001. The length of stay (LOS) in incentive care unit (p = .049, odds ratio = 6.062) and duration on ventilator (p = .048, odds ratio = 0.083) were good predictors of the functional outcomes. Future research should focus on larger sample size of severe TBI in Malaysia.
Fulltext Performance of Immunodiagnostic Tests for Typhoid Fever: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Najib MA, Mustaffa KMF, Ong EBB, Selvam K, Khalid MF, Awang MS, et al.

Pathogens, 2021 Sep 13;10(9).
PMID: 34578216 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091184

Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is a life-threatening bacterial infection that remains a global health concern. The infection is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality rate, resulting in an urgent need for specific and rapid detection tests to aid prevention and management of the disease. The present review aims to assess the specificity and sensitivity of the available literature on the immunodiagnostics of typhoid fever. A literature search was conducted using three databases (PubMed, ProQuest and Scopus) and manual searches through the references of identified full texts to retrieve relevant literature published between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2020. Of the 577 studies identified in our search, 12 were included in further analysis. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and hemolysin E (HlyE) were the most frequently studied antigens. The specimens examined in these studies included serum and saliva. Using blood culture as the gold standard, anti-LPS IgA gave the highest sensitivity of 96% (95% CI: 93-99) and specificity of 96% (95% CI: 93-99) for distinguishing between typhoid cases and healthy controls, whereas the combination of anti-LPS and anti-flagellin total IgGAM gave the highest sensitivity of 93% (95% CI: 86-99) and specificity of 95% (95% CI: 89-100) for distinguishing typhoid cases and other febrile infections. A comparably high sensitivity of 92% (95% CI: 86-98) and specificity of 89% (95% CI: 78-100) were shown in testing based on detection of the combination of anti-LPS (IgA and IgM) and anti-HlyE IgG as well as a slightly lower sensitivity of 91% (95% CI: 74-100) in the case of anti-50kDa IgA. Anti-50kDa IgM had the lowest sensitivity of 36% (95% CI: 6-65) against both healthy and febrile controls. The development of a rapid diagnostic test targeting antibodies against lipopolysaccharides combined with flagellin appeared to be a suitable approach for the rapid detection test of typhoid fever. Saliva is added benefit for rapid typhoid diagnosis since it is less invasive. As a result, further studies could be done to develop additional approaches for adopting such samples.
Fulltext Surgical Technique for Varus Deformity Correction of Below-Knee Stump in a Paediatric Patient

Nik Abdul Adel NA, Abdul Razak AH, Sri Ramulu SS, Awang MS

Cureus, 2023 Aug;15(8):e44477.
PMID: 37791173 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44477

Paediatric amputation is one of the treatment options for various indications, namely, trauma, infection, tumour and congenital problems, and some may be born with congenital problems. It differs from adult amputation as they have higher physical demands, and special complications may arise. Stump overgrowth by far is the commonest complication in paediatric transosseous amputation, while varus deformity of the tibia stump was reported sparsely in the literature. The growth discrepancy of the proximal tibia and fibula physis coupled with distal tibiofibular synostosis may have resulted in proximal migration of the fibula, which later resulted in varus deformity of the stump. This will cause difficulty in prosthesis fitting and lead to painful stumps due to the pressure at the abnormal bony prominence. We report a case of congenital limb deficiencies in a 12-year-old male who was treated with below-knee amputation (BKA) and experienced progressive varus deformity of the stump that caused pain during prosthetic wear, which interfered with his gait. He had a varus deformity of 15 degrees of the stump, distal tibiofibular synostosis and proximal migration of the fibula head. As the conservative management by modification of the prosthesis had failed, he underwent open wedge proximal tibia corrective osteotomy, division of the synostosis and reduction of the fibula head. The surgical intervention was successful in alleviating his problem. All efforts must be made to ensure optimum prosthetic fitting in paediatric amputation patients to maintain the patient's daily lifestyle and activities.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links