MyMedR

Fulltext Brain abscess: Awareness make a difference

Chew Y

J Neurosci Rural Pract, 2013 Aug;4(Suppl 1):S7-8.

PMID: 24174805 DOI: 10.4103/0976-3147.116423

Fulltext Performance evaluation of the Arkray Adams HA-8160 HbA1c analyser

Thevarajah TM, Nani N, Chew YY

Malays J Pathol, 2008 Dec;30(2):81-6.

PMID: 19291916 MyJurnal

HbA1c measurement is currently routinely used to predict long term outcome of diabetes, thus playing a fundamental role in the management of diabetes. The relationship between HbA1c value and long term diabetic complications has been established by a randomised control Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) which used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a reference method for HbA1c assay. To ensure that HbA1c results from a variety HbA1c assay methods are similar to the DCCT values, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended that all laboratories should use methods certified by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Programme (NGSP) with interassay coefficient variation (CV) of < 5% (ideally < 3%). The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) working group on HbA1c standardisation has set a CV < 2.5% as a criteria for its reference laboratories.

Fulltext A complete transection of larynx

Noorizan Y, Chew YK, Khir A, Brito-Mutunayagam S

Med J Malaysia, 2009 Jun;64(2):179-80.

PMID: 20058586 MyJurnal

Acute laryngeal injury is a rare, potentially lethal injury. It often poses difficulty in airway management. Commonly described are external laryngeal or blunt injuries. We report a case of penetrating neck injury resulting in complete transection of cricoid cartilage. A lady presented with a large, deep slash wound in her neck from a knife injury. There was complete laryngotracheal separation. The airway was secured before she was taken to the operating theatre. A tracheostomy was performed. Exploration revealed the cricoid ring was cut horizontally into two. Anastomosis of the cartilaginous framework was undertaken. Fibreoptic laryngoscopy showed bilateral vocal cords paralysis. After two months the patient recovered without airway compromise, she regains her voice. Repeat laryngoscopy showed good mobility of the vocal cords. In conclusion surgical reconstruction should be meticulously done to ensure good respiratory and phonatory abilities.

Fulltext Parotid abscess: an unusual cause of facial nerve palsy

Noorizan Y, Chew YK, Khir A, Brito-Mutunayagam S

Med J Malaysia, 2009 Jun;64(2):172-3.

PMID: 20058583 MyJurnal

Facial nerve palsy with a parotid mass is usually associated with malignant neoplasm of parotid gland. Its occurrence as a complication of parotid abscess is extremely rare. A literature review revealed only 16 cases of facial nerve palsy associated with suppurative parotitis or parotid abscess were reported. We present a case of deep parotid abscess which is complicated by facial nerve dysfunction. Underlying neoplasia was excluded.

Fulltext The use of paramedian forehead flap reconstruction after wide excision of basal cell carcinoma of the nose

Chew YK, Noorizan Y, Khir A, Brito-Mutunayagam S, Prepagaran N

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Oct;63(4):339-40.

PMID: 19385500 MyJurnal

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an indolent, slow-growing malignant skin tumour. Approximately 70% of the tumours occur in the head and neck region. The nose is a common site for malignant skin tumours, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma because it is exposed to the sun. Excision of the BCC will leave the nose with a soft tissue defect which requires reconstruction. This report illustrates a case of BCC of nose whereby a wide excision and reconstruction was performed with a paramedian forehead flap.

Fulltext Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: recognizing it early in children with otitis media with effusion

Noorizan Y, Chew YK, Khir A, Brito-Mutunayagam S

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Aug;63(3):261-2.

PMID: 19248706 MyJurnal

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare disease in children. Children with NPC almost always have the undifferentiated variant of the disease, which is associated with advanced locoregional and distant metastasis. We report two cases to illustrate that high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose NPC in children especially those with atypical presentation of otitis media with effusion (OME).

Fulltext Parotid mass: a 5-year review of parotid surgery

Chew YK, Noorizan Y, Khir A, Brito-Mutunayagam S

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Dec;62(5):388-9.

PMID: 18705472

This study is to analyze the incidence of facial nerve paralysis after parotidectomy and the type of pathologic condition involved in Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah, Muar between 2002 and 2006. There were 20 parotidectomies done on 20 patients over this period of time. Fourteen were done for tumour and six for inflammatory conditions. The pathology involved were pleomorphic adenoma 9 (45%) cases, Kimura disease 2 (10%) cases, carcinoma 5 (25%) cases and inflammatory condition 4 (20%) cases. Out of 20 parotidectomies done (13 for superficial and 7 for total), 4 (20%) patients had complication of facial nerve paralysis, 2 Malignant tumour, 1 benign tumor and 1 was inflammatory condition. In conclusion, preservation of the facial nerve and its function, wherever possible, is very important to reduce social and functional morbidity.

Fulltext Parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscess: anatomical complexity and etiology

Brito-Mutunayagam S, Chew YK, Sivakumar K, Prepageran N

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Dec;62(5):413-5.

PMID: 18705479 MyJurnal

The differential diagnoses of an abscess deep in the neck are retropharyngeal abscess and parapharyngeal abscess. We report a case each of these deep neck space abscesses to highlight their difference with emphasis on its anatomy and possible etiologies.

Fulltext Awareness and knowledge of common eye diseases among the academic staff (non-medical faculties) of University of Malaya

Chew YK, Reddy SC, Karina R

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Aug;59(3):305-11.

PMID: 15727374 MyJurnal

A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of common eye diseases (cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and refractive errors) among 473 academic staff (non-medical faculties) of University Malaya. The awareness of cataract was in 88.2%, diabetic retinopathy in 83.5%, refractive errors in 75.3% and glaucoma in 71.5% of the study population. The knowledge about all the above common eye diseases was moderate, except presbyopia which was poor. Multivariate analysis revealed that females, older people, and those having family history of eye diseases were significantly more aware and more knowledgeable about the eye diseases. Health education about eye diseases would be beneficial to seek early treatment and prevent visual impairment in the society.

Interference of hemoglobinA1c (HbA1c) detection using ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method by clinically silent hemoglobin variant in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)--a case report

Thevarajah M, Nadzimah MN, Chew YY

Clin Biochem, 2009 Mar;42(4-5):430-4.

PMID: 19026622 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2008.10.015

Glycated hemoglobin, measured as HbA1c is used as an index of mean glycemia in diabetic patients over the preceding 2-3 months. Various assay methods are used to measure HbA1c and many factors may interfere with its measurement according to assay method used, causing falsely high or low results.

Fulltext Frontal mucocoele secondary to nasal polyposis: an unusual complication

Chew YK, Noorizan Y, Khir A, Brito-Mutunayagam S, Prepageran N

Singapore Med J, 2009 Nov;50(11):e374-5.

PMID: 19960147

The incidence of mucocoeles associated with a non-surgically treated nasal polyposis is rare. We report a rare case of nasal polyposis with asymptomatic frontal mucocoeles in a 28-year-old Malay man who presented with bilateral nasal obstruction with anosmia. Physical examination revealed bilateral grade III nasal polyps causing obstruction. Computed tomography revealed paranasal polyposis with a large polyp extending and expanding the posterior table of the frontal sinus causing erosion and thinning of its wall. Marsupialisation of the mucocoele and nasal polypectomy were done. Endoscopic sinus surgery and marsupialisation should be the treatment of choice for asymptomatic frontal mucocoele.

Comparison of Macintosh Laryngoscopy in Bed-up-Head-Elevated Position With GlideScope Laryngoscopy: A Randomized, Controlled, Noninferiority Trial

Tsan SEH, Lim SM, Abidin MFZ, Ganesh S, Wang CY

Anesth Analg, 2020 07;131(1):210-219.

PMID: 31348051 DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000004349

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of all difficult tracheal intubations (DTIs) are unanticipated; hence, proper positioning during intubation is critical to increase the likelihood of success. The bed-up-head-elevated (BUHE) intubation position has been shown to improve laryngeal view, reduce airway complications, and prolong safe apneic time during intubation. In this study, we sought to determine whether the BUHE intubation position is noninferior to Glidescope (GLSC)-assisted intubation with regard to laryngeal exposure.

METHODS: A total of 138 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I to III patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups and underwent baseline laryngoscopy in the sniffing position. Group BUHE patients (n = 69) were then intubated in the BUHE position, while group GLSC patients (n = 69) were intubated using GLSC laryngoscopy. Laryngeal exposure was measured using Percentage of Glottic Opening (POGO) score and Cormack-Lehane (CL) grading, and noninferiority will be declared if the difference in mean POGO scores between both groups do not exceed -15% at the lower limit of a 98% confidence interval (CI). Secondary outcomes measured included time required for intubation (TRI), number of intubation attempts, use of airway adjuncts, effort during laryngoscopy, and complications during intubation.

RESULTS: Mean POGO score in group BUHE was 80.14% ± 22.03%, while in group GLSC it was 86.45% ± 18.83%, with a mean difference of -6.3% (98% CI, -13.2% to 0.6%). In both groups, there was a significant improvement in mean POGO scores when compared to baseline laryngoscopy in the sniffing position (group BUHE, 25.8% ± 4.7%; group GLSC, 30.7% ± 6.8%) (P < .0001). The mean TRI was 36.23 ± 14.41 seconds in group BUHE, while group GLSC had a mean TRI of 44.33 ± 11.53 seconds (P < .0001). In patients with baseline CL 3 grading, there was no significant difference between mean POGO scores in both groups (group BUHE, 49.2% ± 19.6% versus group GLSC, 70.5% ± 29.7%; P = .054).

CONCLUSIONS: In the general population, BUHE intubation position provides a noninferior laryngeal view to GLSC intubation. The laryngeal views obtained in both approaches were superior to the laryngeal view obtained in the sniffing position. In view of the many advantages of the BUHE position for intubation, the lack of proven adverse effects, the simplicity, and the cost-effectiveness, we propose that clinicians should consider the BUHE position as the standard intubation position for the general population.

Rare embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of external acoustic canal: a case report and literature review

Eksan MS, Noorizan Y, Chew YK, Noorafidah MD, Asma A

Am J Otolaryngol, 2014 Nov-Dec;35(6):814-5.

PMID: 25128187 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2014.07.009

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of external ear canal is very rare, even in the pediatric population. We report an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of external acoustic canal, occurring in a 12-year-old Chinese girl who presented with left ear canal mass. Wide local excision of the mass was done under local anesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed the diagnosis. She then underwent 20 cycles of radiotherapy. CECT scan post treatment showed clearance of tumor cell. Now, patient is disease free for 5 years. We believe that early diagnosis followed by complete resection of the tumor with clear margin and radiotherapy improves the prognosis of the disease.

Effects of pharmaceutical care on adherence and persistence to bisphosphonates in postmenopausal osteoporotic women

Lai PS, Chua SS, Chew YY, Chan SP

J Clin Pharm Ther, 2011 Oct;36(5):557-67.

PMID: 21916908 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2010.01210.x

Studies have shown that comprehensive interventions by pharmacists can improve adherence and persistence to osteoporosis therapy, but the association between adherence and bone turnover markers (BTMs) has never been studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pharmaceutical care on medication adherence (and its effects on BTMs), as well as persistence of postmenopausal osteoporotic women to prescribed bisphosphonates.

Fulltext Determination of trimester specific reference intervals for thyroid hormones during pregnancy in Malaysian women

Thevarajah M, Chew YY, Lim SC, Sabir N, Sickan J

Malays J Pathol, 2009 Jun;31(1):23-7.

PMID: 19694310 MyJurnal

To establish trimester specific reference intervals for thyroid hormones during pregnancy in Malaysian women.

The prevalence of enamel opacities in permanent teeth of 11-12 year-old school children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Yusoff N, Jaafar N, Razak IA, Chew YY, Ismail N, Bulgiba AM

Community Dent Health, 2008 Mar;25(1):55-8.

PMID: 18435236

To determine the prevalence, distribution, severity and treatment need of enamel opacities among 11-12 year-old school children in a fluoridated urban community.

Fulltext Prevalence and risk factors associated with otitis media with effusion in children visiting tertiary care centre in Malaysia

Tikaram A, Chew YK, Zulkiflee AB, Chong AW, Prepageran N

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2012;11(1):37-40.

MyJurnal

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) in Malaysian children between three months to twelve years of age and to identify the risk factors associated with it.
Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study consists of 153 children selected by stratified random sampling method. Parents of these children were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Clinical examination, including otoscopic examination and tympanometry was performed for each child.
Results: The prevalence of OME was 18.3%. There was no statistical significant relationship between OME and gender, race, household size, attendance to daycare center, breast feeding, and exposure to passive smoking, allergy, and asthma.
Conclusion: The prevalence of OME is 18.3% in Malaysian children between three months to twelve years of age. Frequency of AOM is a statistically significant factor to the development of OME later in life. The different risk factors associated with OME are still controversial.

Fulltext Evaluation of a urinary metanephrines reagent kit: an automated approach

Thevarajah MT, Nadarajah S, Chew YY, Chan PC

Singapore Med J, 2008 Jun;49(6):454-7.

PMID: 18581016

We report the results of a laboratory evaluation of the BioRad Urinary Metanephrines Reagent Kit. The test was designed for the quantitative measurement of normetanephrine and metanephrine in urine by high performance liquid chromatography. The kit was evaluated in view of improving assay reliability and specificity as compared to the manual method based on cation exchange chromatography and spectrophotometry.

Silicon/Silica Colloidal Waste in the Semiconductor Industry: Challenges in Recovery and Potential Use

Mah H, Chew Y, Low S, Wan T, Lim J

Langmuir, 2025 Mar 25;41(11):7151-7159.

PMID: 40073333 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03490

The backgrinding of silicon (Si) wafers has resulted in a loss of ∼70% of valuable Si materials. Consequently, an effluent known as diluted backgrinding wastewater (DBGW) is generated, containing nanosized silicon/silica colloids. Here, we discussed the challenges associated with the effective separation of Si-based waste from the DBGW based upon two perspectives, namely, a nanosized effect and a colloidal stability effect. Then, we revealed the limitation with the currently used coagulation-flocculation approach, which introduces impurities into the highly pure Si. Membrane-based filtration techniques have been adopted, but the serious fouling problem associated with colloidal Si/SiO2 renders them almost impractical. Apart from that, the potential use of highly pure Si waste generated in the semiconductor industry in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) has been discussed. This Perspective aims to provide insights into the challenges associated with the Si recovery from DBGW and suggests its potential use in LIBs.

Fulltext Subcutaneous metastasis of olfactory neuroblastoma - an uncommon presentation

Chew YK, Cheong JP, Brito-Mutunayagam S, Khir A, Prepageran N, Mun KS

Med J Malaysia, 2011 Mar;66(1):62-3.

PMID: 23765147

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare, slow growing, malignant tumour of neuroectodermal origin that begins in neuroepithelial cells of the olfactory membrane. A metastatic rate of 20% to 60% is reported with the most common site being the cervical lymph node. Other sites include the parotid glands, skin, lungs, bone, liver, orbit, spinal cord and spinal canal. We describe a case of olfactory neuroblastoma presented to us with scalp metastasis.

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 22 in total