The accuracy of multi-detector computed tomographic (MDCI) coronary angiography (CTA) is dependant on image quality as well as the experience of the operator. Established centers have reported negative predictive values of over 95%. The aim of our study was to investigate the accuracy and feasibility of CTA for the assessment of haemodynamically significant coronary stenosis in a center with very early experience (<6 months) utilizing the improved spatial and temporal resolutions of the latest generation 64-row MDCI scanner. One hundred and twenty eight patients (93 male, 35 female; mean age 56.2 +/- 9.5 years) with suspected or known coronary artery disease underwent both CIA and conventional coronary angiographv (CCA). The sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for stenoses > or =50% by CIA compared to CCA were 70%, 97%, 70% and 97% respectively. Evaluation of main and proximal segments in patients with good quality images (78% of patients) produced values of 94%, 95%, 74% and 99% respectively. The improved spatial and temporal resolutions of 64-row MJ) CT provided a high negative predictive value in assessing significant coronary artery stenosis even in a centre with very early experience. However, new centers embarking on CTA might not be able to reproduce the results reported by more experienced centers.
An eight-year-old boy admitted for acute abdominal pain was diagnosed to have torsion of the spleen (TS) based on contrast enhanced computerised tomography (CECT) of the abdomen. CECT showed whorled appearance in the splenic hilum. Whorl sign' refers to the presence of a twisted splenic pedicle intermingled with fat, resulting in alternating circular bands of radiodensity and radiolucency and is considered diagnostic of TS. This is the fourth reported case of whorl sign in children with TS and the first from Malaysia.
We report on our early experiences with the Press Fit Condylar Rotating Platform (PFC-RP) total knee replacement prosthesis at University Malaya Medical Centre. This new prosthesis was introduced to Malaysia in 2001. It combines the rotating platform technology of Low Contact Stress (LCS) and the modularity of Press Fit Condylar (PFC) system. We performed 18 knee replacements using cruciate retaining prosthesis without patellar resurfacing in 10 patients and followed them up over a period of 16-month. A new operative strategy was developed to match the flexion and extension gaps. The pre- and post-operative assessments were made according to the American Knee Society Scores (AKSS). Post-operative pain relief, range of motion, knee score and functional score showed promising early results. The average knee rating improved from 28 to 91 (range 75-94). Average functional assessment improved from 26 to 82 (range 75-90). The radiographic assessments show correction of an average pre-operative varus of 140 to post-operative valgus of 50 (range 4-70). Early infection occurred in two knees. Both responded to aggressive debridement and antibiotics. Stiffness was encountered in one patient. There were no spinouts of the insert. We are satisfied that the implants are performing well at the one-year mark and will continue monitor this cohort.
Revision surgery following failed open reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is technically demanding. We reviewed 12 patients in our institution that required a revision surgery between January 1994 and December 2003. The aims of this study are to identify the causes of redislocation after the primary open reduction and to determine the clinical and radiological outcome after the revision surgery. The mean age at presentation for DDH was 31 months (range 1-84) and the mean age at primary open reduction surgery was 38 months (range 15-84) and the mean age at revision surgery was 69 months (range 21-180). The mean follow-up period after revision surgery was 20 months (range 3-84). All the revision surgery was performed via an anterior Smith Peterson approach. The most common cause for redislocation was inadequate exposure and failure to release the obstructing soft tissues around the hip. The bony factors for redislocation included failure to perform a femoral shortening and excessive derotation of an anteverted femoral head combined with a Salter osteotomy. Three cases with posterior acetabular wall deficiency needed immobilization of the hip in extension as the hip tended to dislocate in flexion. Six patients had limb length discrepancy ranging from 1 cm to 4 cm and 50% developed avascular necrosis. Only 2 patients were asymptomatic and the majority had a limp and limitation of motion. All were pain free except one. In view of the technically demanding surgery and poor results after revision, the surgeon should recognize the pathology and ensure that the primary procedure achieves a stable and concentric reduction.
Matched MeSH terms: Hip Dislocation, Congenital/radiography
We studied the factors influencing the mid-term outcomes of tibial plateau fractures treated conservatively (n=21) and surgically (n=27) from December 1994 to December 1997. Joint stability was an important prognostic determinant. In the surgical group, the most important factor was good anatomical reduction. Functional outcomes were comparable between the conservative and surgical groups. We concluded that conservative treatment is a valid option for fractures with minimal displacement and surgical treatment is justified for severely displaced or depressed fractures. Attention must be paid to the recognition and restoration of joint stability and articular surface congruency for a satisfactory outcome.
Patellar thickness is an important consideration for resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty. A patella of 25 mm in thickness is not suitable for resurfacing using the currently available total knee systems. A cross sectional study on patellar thickness using plain radiographs was undertaken on 56 patients. It was observed that the average thickness of the bony part of the patella was 20.05 mm (range 17-23 mm). The actual thickness of cartilage varies from 2.0 to 5.5 mm (mean 3.2 mm). Thus the mean thickness of the patella was 23.2 mm (range 20.2-26.2 mm). The majority of our patients (73%) had patellar thickness of 24 mm or less. The patellar thickness had a significant correlation with the patient's height (R=0.5). Since the majority of our patients have thin patella, we are of the opinion that majority of our patients are not suitable for patellar resurfacing.
Pedicle screw system has increasingly been used for correction of thoracic scoliosis. It offers several biomechanical advantages over hook system as it controls all three-column of the spine with enhanced stability. Of many techniques of pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine, the funnel technique has been used in Sarawak General Hospital since 2002. This prospective study aims to assess the accuracy of the placement of thoracic pedicle screws using the funnel technique in the corrective surgery of idiopathic scoliosis. A total of 88 thoracic pedicle screws were inserted into the T4 to T12 vertebrae of 11 patients. Post-operative CT-scan was performed to evaluate the position of the pedicle screw. Seventy six (86.4%) screws were noted to be totally within the pedicle. There was no screw with medial violation of the pedicle, 8 (9.1%) screws breeching the lateral wall of the pedicle and 4 (4.5%) screws with anterior and lateral penetration of the vertebral body. No clinical sequel with the mal-positioned screws was noted. In conclusion, the funnel technique enabled simple, accurate and reliable insertion of pedicle screw even in the scoliotic thoracic spine without the need of any imaging guidance. It is however imperative for the surgeon to have a thorough knowledge of the thoracic spine anatomy, and to be familiar with the technique to insert these screws diligently.
Femoral interlocking nailing requires fluoroscopic assistance for insertion of the nail and distal screws. In this study, scattered radiation to the eye and hand of the operating surgeon was measured during the procedure. Thermo-luminescent dosimeter (TLD) was used to quantify the dose received by the surgeon. The mean radiation exposure time during the procedure was 3.89 minutes. The mean scattered radiation doses to the hand and eye were 0.27 mSv and 0.09 mSv per procedure respectively. These very low doses have made a surgeon very unlikely to receive more than the recommended annual dose limit set by the National Council on Radiological Protection.
The choice between limb salvage and primary amputation in a severely injured limb is at time difficult. A case of severe Gustilo type-IIIB open fracture of the tibia with massive soft tissue loss is presented to highlight the immediate and definitive treatment undertaken to preserve the limb.
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a relatively uncommon hip disorder in adolescents and its prevalence in Malaysia has not been studied. This retrospective study is undertaken to provide an overview of a 12-year review of SCFE treated in our institution. Fourteen patients (19 hips) with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) admitted to Hospital UKM from 1990 to 2002 were reviewed with respect to demographic profile, functional outcome according to the Iowa Hip Score, and complications. There were ten boys (average age, 12.5 years) and four girls (average age, 12 years). Eight were Malays and six were Indians. The average body mass index was 26.1 verweight). The left hips (11 hips) were affected more than the right hips (eight hips). Five patients had bilateral slips. Thirteen hips were considered stable while the other six hips were unstable. The majority of cases were moderate slips (12 hips), four hips had severe slips while three hips had mild slips. Several methods of treatment were instituted. These include in situ cannulated screw fixation (11 hips), Knowles pin fixation (three hips) and gentle closed manipulative reduction with cannulated screw fixation (three hips). One patient with bilateral slips refused surgical treatment. Based on the Iowa Hip Score, most patients (nine) had satisfactory results (excellent or good), three had fair results while one patient had a poor result. Avascular necrosis developed in five hips while chondrolysis occurred in one hip. In situ cannulated screw fixation is the treatment of choice. SCFE is an uncommon condition in Malaysia.
Matched MeSH terms: Epiphyses, Slipped/radiography; Femur Head/radiography; Hip Injuries/radiography
Acute traumatic transphyseal fracture of the capital femoral epiphysis is a rare but serious injury. The injury is typically inflicted by a severe trauma. Because of the vulnerability and predisposed anatomy of the femoral epiphysis in relation to its blood supply, the fracture has been designated to have poor prognosis with inevitable osteonecrosis and eventual deformity of the hip. We report a case of such fracture in a 13-year-old child in view to highlight some of the anticipated problems in the management of such injury.
Matched MeSH terms: Epiphyses, Slipped/radiography; Femur Head/radiography; Hip Fractures/radiography
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.
Malaysia's mammography QA practice was surveyed based on the Malaysian Ministry of Health and the American College of Radiology (ACR) requirements. Data on mammography unit, processor, image receptor, exposure factors, mean glandular dose (MGD), sensitometry, image quality and viewbox luminance were obtained. Mean developer temperature and cycle time were 34.1 +/- 1.8degreesC and 107.7 +/- 33.2 seconds. Mean base+fog level, speed index and contrast index were 0.20+/-0.01, 1.20+/-0.01 and 1.33+/-0.26 respectively. Eighty-six percent of the fifty centres passed the image quality test while 12.5% complied with ACR recommended viewbox luminance. Average MGD was 1.0+/-0.4 mGy. Malaysia is on the right track for QA but with room for total quality improvement.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of pneumatic reduction of intussusception using equipment readily available in the hospital. Twenty-two children aged between four months and four years had pneumatic reduction of intussusception. The device used was assembled using (i) a hand-held pump attached to a pressure gauge, and (ii) a 3-way Foley's balloon catheter. There was a 73% success rate and there were no complications. The device used was effective and safe for the pneumatic reduction of intussusception.
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.
Double dislocations of joints of the thumb are uncommon injuries. We report an unusual case of simultaneous dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and subluxation of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joints of the thumb in a child to illustrate problems related to their treatment.
Cases of retained surgical guaze are rarely reported because of medico-legal and professional implications. Retained gauze for a period of more than 10 years is even rarer. A case of retained surgical gauze for 11 years, an accidental finding from a plain radiograph of a patient who had sustained proximal femoral fracture, is reported. A review of other reported cases is presented.
A rare case of partially thrombosed giant serpentine right middle cerebral artery aneurysm presented. A 26 year old man initially presented with headache and 3 months later developed neurological deficit. Various stages of clot with patent residual lumen seen on neuroimaging, led to the diagnosis. Catheter angiography is the investigation of choice for evaluating the location, flow dynamics and extent of the serpentine aneurysm. The patient had embolisation done for the giant serpentine aneurysm.
A child with a post-tramatic pancreatic pseuodocyst developed pancreatic fistula, following percutaneous drainage of the cyst. The fistula output was about 120ml/day and lasted for a month. A diagnostic ERCP revealed main pancreatic duct disruption. The fistula output ceased over the next two days following the ERCP. The patient has been well for the past four years. This patient's immediate recovery after ERCP could possibly be due to dislodgement of a mucus plug by the contrast injected during ERCP. Such a mechanism can explain the previous sporadic reports of spontaneous cure of persistent pancreatic fistulae in children.
Pseudoaneurysms of the subclavian artery are extremely rare lesions despite the overall increase in the frequency of septic pseudoaneurysms caused by illicit parenteral drug abuse. A case of subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm presenting with Horner's syndrome in an intravenous drug user is discussed.