MyMedR

Fulltext Tunnelled peripherally inserted central Catherer- how we do them

Vijaynanthan, A., Nawawi, O., Abdullah, B.J.J.

JUMMEC, 2017;20(2):8-12.

MyJurnal

In the current study, we report a new technique to place a tunnelled peripherally inserted central catheter
(PICC) at the upper arm of patient under real-time ultrasound-guided venipuncture using disposal equipment
provided within a standard PICC set. The tunnelling of the PICC required an extra time of 5 minutes but was
well tolerated by all patients involved in the study. The tunnelled PICC was applied on 50 patients and the
infection rate as well its catheter dwell time were compared to another 50 patients with conventional PICC.
The rate of patients who developed infection decreased from 34% for conventional PICC to 16% in tunnelled
PICC patients. The central line-associated blood stream infections rate was also decreased from 4.4 per 1000
catheter-days for conventional PICC to 1.3 per 1000 catheter-days for tunnelled PICC. The mean time to infection
development for tunnelled PICC (24 days) was longer than those observed with conventional PICC (19 days).
Tunnelled PICC has also increased the mean catheter dwell time from 27 days (for conventional PICC) to 47
days. Tunnelling a PICC has the potential to reduce the infection rate while increase the catheter dwell time.

Fulltext The importance of Good Clinical Practice guidelines and its role in clinical trials

Vijayananthan A, Nawawi O

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2008 Jan;4(1):e5.

PMID: 21614316 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.4.1.e5

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, recording, analyses and reporting of clinical trials. It also serves to protect the rights, integrity and confidentiality of trial subjects. It is very important to understand the background of the formation of the ICH-GCP guidelines as this, in itself, explains the reasons and the need for doing so. In this paper, we address the historical background and the events that led up to the formation of these guidelines. Today, the ICH-GCP guidelines are used in clinical trials throughout the globe with the main aim of protecting and preserving human rights.

Superselective coil embolization in gastrointestinal haemorrhage: early experience

Nawawi O, Young N, So S

Australas Radiol, 2006 Feb;50(1):21-6.

PMID: 16499722

This is a retrospective study to evaluate our early experience of using selective microcoil embolization in patients who had gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage. From December 2002 to December 2003, six patients with GI haemorrhage (upper GI, n = 1; lower GI, n = 5) underwent superselective microcoil embolization. Microcatheters were used to carry out embolizations in branches of the superior mesenteric artery. Microcoils were used in five patients and a combination of microcoils and embolospheres was used in one patient. Technical success (bleeding target devascularization) was achieved in all patients who showed active bleeding at the time of angiography. Two patients had recurrent bleeding within 24 h of embolization, of which one (16.7%) died. The other patient did not require active intervention as bleeding was minimal and resolved with conservative management. Satisfactory clinical success (no rebleeding after 30 days) was achieved in five patients. No clinical signs and symptoms of bowel ischaemia occurred in these patients. Follow-up colonoscopy carried out in two patients did not show any signs of ischaemia in the affected bowel segments. Superselective microcoil embolization is an effective and safe method of controlling and arresting bleeding in GI haemorrhage.

Unilateral moyamoya disease with co-existing arteriovenous malformation

Nawawi O, Sinnasamy M, Ramli N

Br J Radiol, 2006 Jul;79(943):e12-5.

PMID: 16823046

A case of an intracerebral bleed in a young man with a rare combination of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and unilateral moyamoya disease is presented. The location of the bleed in the left basal ganglia corresponded to the area supplied by the basal moyamoya vessels. The AVM which received supply from collateral moyamoya vessels as well as normal cerebral arteries was located in the ipsilateral parieto-occipital region posterior to the basal ganglia bleed. This is the first reported cerebral AVM co-existing with a unilateral moyamoya disease in the English literature. Unusual features of the case such as the unilaterality of the angiographic abnormalities, their coexistence and hypotheses as to their development are discussed.

Fulltext Uterine arteriovenous malformation

Hashim H, Nawawi O

Malays J Med Sci, 2013 Mar;20(2):76-80.

PMID: 23983582 MyJurnal

Uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare condition, with fewer than 100 cases reported in the literature. Despite it being rare, it is a potentially life-threatening condition. This case report describes a 33-year-old woman who presented with secondary post-partum hemorrhage. Transabdominal ultrasound (US) of the pelvis showed increased vascularity with multidirectional flow of the uterus and a prominent vessel, located on the left lateral wall. She also had retained product of conception, which complicated the diagnosis. A uterine artery angiogram confirmed an AVM in the fundal region with an early draining vein. Embolisation of the AVM was performed successfully.

Neurenteric cyst of the cervicothoracic junction: A rare cause of paraparesis in a paediatric patient

Sheaufung S, Taufiq A, Nawawi O, Naicker MS, Waran V

J Clin Neurosci, 2009 Apr;16(4):579-81.

PMID: 19201194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2008.04.029

Neurenteric cysts are rare congenital spinal masses that result from the dysgenesis of the endoderm tissue during development. We report a 4-year-old girl who presented with an insidious onset of lower limb paraparesis. An MRI scan revealed a cervicothoracic intradural extramedullary neurenteric cyst at the thoracic T1/T2 level, with marked spinal cord compression. No associated spinal dysraphism was noted. The patient underwent laminotomy and excision of the cyst. She recovered her neurological functions completely post-operatively, and at her six-month follow-up she was asymptomatic without any neurological deficits. We will discuss the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and neuroradiological findings. We emphasize the value of early surgical intervention and long-term follow-up when this type of lesion is only partially excised.

Fulltext A rare case of primary infiltrating neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast

Nawawi O, Ying Goh K, Rahmat K

Iran J Radiol, 2012 Nov;9(4):212-6.

PMID: 23408015 DOI: 10.5812/iranjradiol.8517

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast is a very rare malignant tumor. There are not many cases reported in the English literature since it was first documented in 1983. Reports on the imaging features, in particular the ultrasonographic features of this rare tumor are scarce. Herein, we report a case of aggressive primary infiltrating neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast, masquerading as an inflammatory breast condition in a 22-year-old young lady, perhaps the youngest case ever reported in the English literature. We discuss the imaging features and highlight the Doppler ultrasonographic findings of this rare breast carcinoma. This is the first documentation on Doppler ultrasonographic findings of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast in the literature.

Fulltext Phytobezoar: an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction

Teng H, Nawawi O, Ng K, Yik Y

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2005 Jul;1(1):e4.

PMID: 21625276 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.1.1.e4

Small bowel phytobezoars are rare and almost always obstructive. There have been previously reported cases of phytobezoars in the literature, however there are few reports on radiological findings for small bowel bezoars. Barium studies characteristically show an intraluminal filling defect of variable size that is not fixed to the bowel wall with barium filling the interstices giving a mottled appearance. On CT scan, the presence of a round or ovoid intraluminal mass with a 'mottled gas' pattern is believed to be pathognomonic. Since features on CT scans are characteristics and physical findings are of little assistance in the diagnosis of bezoar, the diagnostic value of CT needs to be emphasised.

Spinal intradural empyema: The mystery behind a difficult lumbar puncture

Chan KJ, Nawawi O, Fong CY

Pediatr Int, 2023;65(1):e15649.

PMID: 37804048 DOI: 10.1111/ped.15649

A streamlined strategy for self-production of a commercial positive selection vector, the pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector, using common laboratory E. coli strains

Nawawi O, Abdullah MP, Yusuf CYL

3 Biotech, 2023 Jul;13(7):224.

PMID: 37292140 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03647-3

Positive selection vectors carry a lethal gene encoding a toxic product that is harmful to most laboratory E. coli strains. Previously, we reported a strategy for in-house production of a commercial positive selection vector, the pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector, using common laboratory E. coli strains. However, the strategy involves lengthy gel electrophoresis and extraction procedures to purify the linearized vector after digestion. Here, we streamlined the strategy to eliminate the gel-purification step. A uniquely designed short fragment called the Nawawi fragment was inserted into the coding sequence of the lethal gene of the pJET1.2 plasmid, resulting in the pJET1.2N plasmid that can be propagated in the E. coli strain DH5α. Digestion of the pJET1.2N plasmid with EcoRV released the Nawawi fragment, and the resulting blunt-ended pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector can be used directly for DNA cloning without prior purification. Cloning of a DNA fragment was not hindered by the Nawawi fragments carried over from the digestion step. After transformation, the pJET1.2N-derived pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector produced > 98% positive clones. The streamlined strategy accelerates the in-house production of the pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector and enables DNA cloning at a lower cost.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03647-3.

Benefits of 3D rotational DSA compared with 2D DSA in the evaluation of intracranial aneurysm

Wong SC, Nawawi O, Ramli N, Abd Kadir KA

Acad Radiol, 2012 Jun;19(6):701-7.

PMID: 22578227 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2012.02.012

The aim of this study was to compare conventional two-dimensional (2D) digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with three-dimensional (3D) rotational DSA in the investigation of intracranial aneurysm in terms of detection, size measurement, neck diameter, neck delineation, and relationship with surrounding vessels. A further aim was to compare radiation dose, contrast volume, and procedural time between the two protocols.

Fulltext Transarterial embolisation of hepatocellular carcinoma with doxorubicin-eluting beads: single centre early experience

Nawawi O, Hazman M, Abdullah B, Vijayananthan A, Manikam J, Mahadeva S, et al.

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2010 Jan-Mar;6(1):e7.

PMID: 21611067 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.6.1.e7

This is a retrospective study to evaluate the results of our early experience of using doxorubicin eluting beads (DEB) to treat patients with early and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Fulltext CT perfusion as a useful tool in the evaluation of leuko-araiosis

Ramli N, Ho K, Nawawi O, Chong H, Tan C

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2006 Apr;2(2):e16.

PMID: 21614226 DOI: 10.2349/biij.2.2.e16

BACKGROUND: Leuko-araiosis (LA) and dementia are common geriatric conditions but their pathogenesis and clinical significance are not completely understood. An evaluation of CT perfusion (CTP) in both these conditions can further enhance the understanding of these diseases.

METHODS: Twenty-one patients with LA and 21 age-matched controls were studied with CTP and assessed for their cognitive function. The subjects were classified into four groups: Group 1, with LA (n = 21); Group 2, without LA (n = 21); Group 3, with dementia (n = 7); Group 4, without dementia (n = 11). The mean cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT) values were compared between groups 1 and 2, while mean CBF values were compared between groups 3 and 4.

RESULTS: Mean white matter CBF was considerably reduced in patients with LA in the frontal region by 42% (p = 0.000), basal ganglia by 37% (p = 0.000) and occipital region by 18% (p = 0.019). The mean white matter CBV was reduced in patients with LA in the frontal region by 36% (p = 0.000) and basal ganglia by 28% (p = 0.017). The mean white matter CBF was dramatically reduced in patients with dementia in the frontal region by 44% (p = 0.000), basal ganglia by 32% (p = 0.038) and occipital regions by 24% (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The CTP showed reduced white matter CBF and CBV in patients with LA. This is consistent with chronic ischemia as the pathogenesis of LA. The CTP is also a potentially important technique in the diagnosis and management of dementia, because of its ability to reveal cerebral hypoperfusion.

Jaundice and life-threatening hemobilia: an uncommon presentation of choledochal cyst

Koh PS, Yoong BK, Vijayananthan A, Nawawi O, Mahadeva S

J Dig Dis, 2013 Aug;14(8):451-4.

PMID: 23324023 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12036

Hemobilia with jaundice as a result of cholestasis and bleeding from choledochal cyst is uncommon. Ascertaining the diagnosis is often challenging and delayed diagnosis can lead to significant consequences due to hemodynamic instability, particularly in elderly patients. Although surgery remains the definitive treatment modality, interventional radiology for hemostasis has been increasingly recognized as an option. In this manuscript, we described two Malaysian cases of jaundice and hemobilia associated with choledochal cysts and the challenges related with clinical diagnosis and management.

Fulltext Uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic fibroids: the University of Malaya Medical Centre experience

Subramaniam R, Vijayananthan A, Omar S, Nawawi O, Abdullah B

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2010 Jul-Sep;6(3):e27.

PMID: 21611045 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.6.3.e27

Transcatheter uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids has been performed in several centres in the United States, Western Europe and Asia with promising results. This study reports the authors' experience with UAE at the University Malaya Medical Centre.

Fulltext Antegrade repositioning of Memokath stent in malignant ureteroileal anastomotic stricture

Ng KL, Nawawi O, Lim BK, Htun TH, Dublin N, Razack AH

Asian J Surg, 2017 Apr;40(2):171-174.

PMID: 24210538 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2013.09.012

Ureteric strictures are common and can be due to benign or malignant causes. Various surgical treatments can be used from minimally invasive endoscopic retrograde JJ stent insertion, balloon dilatation, ureterolithotomy, to open surgical exploration and repair. Memokath 051 stent is a metallic stent designed for long-term ureteral stenting in the management of ureteral strictures. The insertion of this device is usually a straightforward procedure performed endoscopically in a retrograde fashion via cystoscopy. However, this procedure can be difficult in complicated scenarios when the bladder has been removed with neoureteral reimplantations or high-grade strictures. Here, we report a case of Memokath stent insertion complicated by placement difficulties in a lady with ileal conduit due to previous ovarian cancer complicated by vesicovaginal fistula, who presented with malignant stricture of the ureteroileal anastomosis. We describe a simple yet effective antegrade technique to precisely reposition the malpositioned Memokath stent, along with illustrations.

Fulltext A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Most Efficacious Dose of Botulinum Toxin-A for Sialorrhea Treatment in Asian Adults with Neurological Diseases

Mazlan M, Rajasegaran S, Engkasan JP, Nawawi O, Goh KJ, Freddy SJ

Toxins (Basel), 2015 Sep;7(9):3758-70.

PMID: 26402703 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7093758

This study aims to determine the most efficacious dose of Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) in reducing sialorrhea in Asian adults with neurological diseases. A prospective, double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted over 24 weeks. Thirty patients with significant sialorrhea were randomly assigned to receive a BoNT-A (Dysport(®)) injection into the submandibular and the parotid glands bilaterally via an ultrasound guidance. The total dose given per patient was either BoNT-A injection of (i) 50 U; (ii) 100 U; or (iii) 200 U. The primary outcome was the amount of saliva reduction, measured by the differential weight (wet versus dry) of intraoral dental gauze at baseline and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after injection. The secondary outcome was the subjective report of drooling using the Drooling Frequency and Severity Scale (DFS). Saliva reduction was observed in response to all BoNT-A doses in 17 patients who completed the assessments. Although no statistically significant difference among the doses was found, the measured reduction was greater in groups that received higher doses (100 U and 200 U). The group receiving 200 U of Dysport(®) showed the greatest reduction of saliva until 24 weeks and reported the most significant improvement in the DFS score.

Microstructural Integrity of Peripheral Nerves in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: An MRI Evaluation Study

Cheah PL, Krisnan T, Wong JHD, Rozalli FI, Fadzli F, Rahmat K, et al.

J Magn Reson Imaging, 2021 02;53(2):437-444.

PMID: 32918328 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27354

BACKGROUND: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is diagnosed through clinical findings and genetic testing. While there are neurophysiological tools and clinical functional scales in CMT, objective disease biomarkers that can facilitate in monitoring disease progression are limited.

PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in determining the microstructural integrity of sciatic and peroneal nerves and its correlation with the MRI grading of muscle atrophy severity and clinical function in CMT as determined by the CMT neuropathy score (CMTNS).

STUDY TYPE: Prospective case-control.

SUBJECTS: Nine CMT patients and nine age-matched controls.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3 T T1 -weighted in-/out-of phase spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR) and DTI sequences.

ASSESSMENT: Fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD) values for sciatic and peroneal nerves were obtained from DTI. Muscle atrophy was graded according to the Goutallier classification using in-/out-of phase SPGRs. DTI parameters and muscle atrophy grades were compared between CMT and controls, and the relationship between DTI parameters, muscle atrophy grades, and CMTNS were assessed.

STATISTICAL TESTS: The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to compare DTI parameters between CMT and controls. The relationship between DTI parameters, muscle atrophy grades, and CMTNS were analyzed using the Spearman correlation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses of DTI parameters that can differentiate CMT from healthy controls were done.

RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in FA and increase in RD of both nerves (P

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