The author recently spent 4 months at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as a visiting professor of radiology. In this report he describes his experiences in the country and at the hospital and medical school, which is one of only three in Malaysia. Each day, the author worked one-on-one with a different resident, supervising either procedures or image interpretation. Additional activities included conferences, grand rounds, and medical student teaching. Because of the mixed ethnicity of the population, the incidence and variety of pathologic conditions that were encountered clinically provided an unparalleled educational experience. The author encourages anyone with available time to consider a sabbatical such as this; it is a rewarding personal and professional experience.
The RSNA International Visiting Professor program gave us an opportunity to live in a different and exciting country for 6 months. We had adequate travel opportunities to visit in Southeast Asia. Most of all, the feeling of appreciation and accomplishment we received from the master students as exemplified by their concern for us made our adventure extremely rewarding. For example, on the day of departure about half the class came to the airport to bid us farewell. This gesture, as well as several farewell parties in our honor, was certainly very gratifying. I enthusiastically recommend the opportunity afforded by the RSNA Visiting Professor program, and, specifically, I am enthusiastic about the program at Universiti Malaya.
The coracoclavicular joints are genetically determined anatomic variants. There are problems in determining their presence by dissection examination of osteologic material as well as by radiography. Based on a survey of published material and a prospective radiological survey carried out in Malaysia, it is clear that the anomaly is more frequent in Asia than in Europe and Africa. There is a high incidence in people from Southern China. The joints are subject to osteophytic marginal lipping without development of symptoms or disability.
Two patients with gout associated with the presence of an abnormal hemoglobin, Hb E, and hypersplenism are presented. Very large sclerotic-rimmed cystic erosions in the sacroiliac joints of both patients are unusual but characteristic of the skeletal lesions of gout. The hyperuricemia may be the result of the disordered nucleic acid metabolism associated with hemoglobin abnormality. The development of hypersplenism very likely accelerated this process and resulted in the clinical and radiographic manifestations of severe gout.
INDEX TERMS: Blood, diseases • Blood, proteins • globin and Hemoglobin Compounds • Sacroiliac Joint trophy
Study site: Hospital Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia
History A 58-year-old woman was seen in the rheumatology clinic for bilateral wrist and knee pain that was unresponsive to physiotherapy and intra-articular steroid injections. Remote fracture of the left tibia from a motor vehicle collision was reported and was previously treated with conservative management. Serologic work-up for inflammatory disease was negative. The patient reported no prior surgical or medical history. Social history revealed remote immigration from Malaysia. Radiographs of the hands and knees were obtained ( Figs 1 - 4 ). [Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text].
History A 58-year-old woman was seen in the rheumatology clinic for bilateral wrist and knee pain that was unresponsive to physiotherapy and intra-articular steroid injections. Remote fracture of the left tibia from a motor vehicle collision was reported and was previously treated with conservative management. Serologic work-up for inflammatory disease was negative. The patient reported no prior surgical or medical history. Social history revealed remote immigration from Malaysia. Radiographs of the hands and knees were obtained.