This paper presents four cases of Fournier's gangrene, including one involving a reconstructive procedure using a preputial rotation flap to cover the raw area, to reduce the period of wound healing. Since Fournier's description of Idiopathic scrotal gangrene in 1884, there have been a number of reports on this relatively rare disease but the problem of achieving early healing and epithelialisation remains.
Patients attending a referral Skin Clinic were studied to identify the spectrum of drug eruptions and the offending drugs. There were 51 patients with an incidence of five per thousand and equal sex incidence. Though the pattern of eruption was broadly similar to other reports, unusual reactions were observed. In addition to the skin manifestation, fever and lymphadenopathy were present in most patients. Raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate and eosinopoenia were commonly observed. Clinical acumen and the list of drugs ingested are still the best clues to the diagnosis ofdrug eruption.
Study site: Skin clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The technique of radical vulvectomy with lymphadenectomy in which primary skin. closure of the large defect is achieved is described. Experience with this operative technique at the University Hospital, Kuala Lurnpur from 1968 to 1980 is reviewed. The technique allows for wide clearance of the tumour and of regional lymphatic channels and nodes in continuity. We have been impressed by the good immediate results and at the primary skin closure achieved in all our cases.
Maternal deaths in Kerian district during a 5 year period (1976-1980) is described. There were 35 maternal deaths in all and Malays constituted the majority 32 (91.4 percent). Most of the women were of low socio-economic status and only 20 percent had some formal education. The women were mainly multigravida and majority of them 20 (57.2 percent) were between 31-40 years of age. The main cause of death being PPH and PPH with retained placenta. Most of them died at home and were attended to by TBAs. The need to identify, train and utilise TBAs has been realised as they delivered about 41.4 percent of the deliveries in Kerian in 1976.
A local anaesthetic agent with adrenalin meant for infiltration block was inadvertently given into spinal canal without any serious sequelae. The consequences of adrenalin in the subarachnoid space are discussed. Measures to prevent such accidents are suggested.
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic which is commonly used in the treatment of serious Gram-negative infections. However, gentamicin like other aminoglycosides, has a narrow therapeutic index and is potentially ototoxic and nephrotoxic. Blood levels following administration of gentamicin has been shown to be highly unpredictable and monitoring of gentamicin levels is necessary to ensure effective therapeutic levels as well as to avoid toxicity. The Department of Microbiology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia offers such a monitoring service. This paper analyses the results of 135 such estimations performed between August 1979 and May 1981. It is shown that a significant proportion of patients were receiving either too much or too little gentamicin. Empirical determinations of dosages is unsatisfactory and as the microbiological assay method of determining gentamicin levels is both easy to perform and inexpensive, such a service should be offered by all general hospitals in Malaysia.
This report describes a case of Behcet's syndrome in which there was involvement of both the intracranial and systemic veins. The pathogenesis of Behcet's syndrome is discussed.
Two hundred strains of Klebsiella species isolated from clinical specimens over a four-month period were biotyped as Klebsiella aerogenes (173 strains), Klebsiella ozaenae (15 strains), Klebsiella edwardsii (5 strains), Klebsiella atlantae (2 strains) and Klebsiella oxytoca (1 strain). Klebsiella aerogenes and Klebsiella ozaenae were more resistant towards antibiotics when compared with other species. Colonial morphology on eosin methylene blue agar (Oxoid) was not found useful for differentiations of Klebsiella biotypes.
Radioimmunoassay technique has been used to investigate the variation in the serum human prolactin (hPRL) levels at different stages of menstrual cycle and during a 24-hours period in Malay women. The results showed that the serum hPRL concentrations during menstrual (24.5 ± 4.3 ng/ml), preovulatory (36.6 ± 7.4 ng/ml), ovulatory (29 ± 5.3 ng/ml) and postovulatory (26.6 ± 5.2 ng/ml) periods were not significantly different among each other. The hPRL level was highest during night-sleeping, at 0200hr and was significantly different from the values obtained at 1400, 2000, 0800 and 1400 (last sampling) hours (P < 0.01).
A cohort of90 infants born in March 1979 in Kedah, Pahang and Malacca were followed up to find out the feeding practices, preventive health care and medical care practices during infancy. A high proportion of infants were breastfed compared to the urban population. However, early introduction of solids was very common. Parents were well aware of the immunisation schedule and attended government clinics for immunisation. However, attendance for health appraisal was not made according to schedule. Cough and cold,fever, diarrhoea, measles and skin conditions were the common ailments. Medical care for cough and cold, fever and diarrhoea was sought from general practitioners, clinics, and hospitals. Practice of buying analgesics and penicillin cream for self treatment for fever and sores was a common practice. Help was soughtfrom traditional healers for measles. Fever and diarrhoea were thought to be signs of health by some and nothing was done. Mothers were well educated on the importance of breast feeding but were not aware that introduction ofearly solids is not satisfactory. Education with regards to introduction of solids by health staff was not done timely. Health staff were mentioned as injluentials for feeding practices and immunisation, but were not mentioned for medical care. Some recommendations for infant care are also mentioned in the paper.
Fifty patients with temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome were examined. Seventy-eight percent and 32 percent were female and male respectively. The white collar workers were more frequently affected. Emotional stress, dental malocclusion and a history of trauma were the main causes. Treatment consists of reassurance, relaxed jaw movements and exercises, anxiolytic drugs, thermotherapy, biting appliance, occlusal adjustments and restoration of lost dental units.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest malignant tumour of the mouth (91 percent) in people living in Peninsular Malaysia. Since the histological grading of oral carcinoma ·is one of the several important factors to be considered in the long term survival of patients a more detailed study of anaplastic carcinoma of the mouth in 100 patients is made in this study. As reported in an earlier study the Chinese seem to be more prone to develop anaplastic carcinoma of the mouth. In contrast although oral carcinoma occurs most commonly in the Indians, the development of anaplastic carcinoma seems to be the least in them. The Indians seem to have a better host immune response to oral carcinoma than the Chinese and the Malays occupy an intermediary position. The peak age incidence was between 51-70 years (50 percent). In descending order of frequency anaplastic carcinoma involved the gingiva (29 percent), buccal mucosa (22 percent), palate (20 percent), and tongue (16 percent). Further studies may help to formulate a more effective tailor-made regime of treatment for each individual oral carcinoma patient.
A study into the incidence of urinary calculi over a 15-year period from 1962-1976 in the states of mainland Malaysia is presented. Figures from the Ministry of Health Returns are the only source for such information. The incidence from the various states over each five year period from 1962-1972 is tabulated and its significance especially, the pattern of incidence, and its relation to industrialisation is discussed. Malaysia is beginning to show the same pattern of incidence in the upper and lower urinary tract as that of other industrialised countries. A plea is made for the establishment of a central register at the Institute of Urology and Nephrology to carry out a national survey of urinary calculi so that a study into the epidemiology, and if possible, preventive aspects of urolithiasis can be undertaken.
The findings of a cholera epidemic in Krian district is reported. There were 77 cases and 92 carriers in the epidemic. Although the three main ethnic groups of Malays, Chinese and Indians were involved in the epidemic, the Malays constituted majority of the cases and carriers. The overall infection rate and case attack rate was higher among the younger population. The case: carrier ratio was also higher among the younger population especially among Indians. Various reasons and probable causes of the epidemic have been described briefly.
The 1980 malaria notifications in Malaysian soldiers are analysed. The number of new cases notified was 964, giving an annual incidence of11.81/1000 soldiers. Sixty-three percent were falciparum and 36 percent were vivax infections. There were 48 relapses and recrudescences. Twenty-three carriers were detected on mass screening. The yield from mass screening was very low - 5.09/1000 screened. The current practice of chemotherapy, though generally acceptable, was unsuitable for a number of patients. Recommended regimens are not being adhered to. There were two cases ofcerebral malaria, one of whom died.
A total of 12 severely hypertensive patients were treated with a once daily dose ofNadolol. There was a drop in diastolic pressure to a mean of 105 mm Hg standing within two weeks and this was well maintained up to 12 months of therapy, the lowest diastolic pressure being 94 mm Hg standing at six months of therapy. Nadolol produced no significant side effects and bradycardia was not a problem during treatment. Of the eleven patients who were resistant to previous therapy because of various reasons all except two responded excellently. One of the non responders has real resistance to therapy and the other is non compliant. Nadolol is found to be an effective once daily treatment for severe and resistant hypertension.