1.Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in severe dengue: To scope or not to scope?
Chen Hong Lim ; Benjamin Han Sim Ng ; Foong Kee Kan
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(1):55-57
Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (UGIH) in severe
dengue represents a clinical dilemma in term of
management. The recommended treatment in dengue with
UGIH involves blood product transfusion support and
proton pump inhibitor (PPI) infusion. Despite being the
mainstay of treatment in non-dengue UGIH, the role of
endoscopic haemostatic intervention in severe dengue
remains controversial. In the present report, we present a
case of severe dengue complicated with upper
gastrointestinal haemorrhage successfully underwent early
therapeutic endoscopic intervention in a district hospital.
Dengue
2.Infection associated haemophagocytic syndrome in severe dengue infection – a case series in a district hospital
Jasmine Sze Yin Yew ; Soon Liang Lee ; Foong Kee Kan
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(1):62-64
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially
fatal disorder resulting from uncontrolled
hyperinflammatory response. There had been increase in
cases of one of the secondary form of HLH, i.e., infectionassociated
haemophagocytic syndrome (IAHS) in severe
dengue in recent years. However, the condition remains
under diagnosed due to lack of awareness compounded by
the lack of validated diagnostic criteria. Severe hepatitis
with prolonged cytopenias, severe hyperferritinemia,
hypofibrinogenemia and persistent fever were evident in all
four cases reported. All the subjects survived with
supportive care and adjuvant steroid therapy. Prospective
controlled studies are needed to develop diagnostic criteria
and management protocol for IAHS in severe dengue.
Severe Dengue
3.Pulmonary actinomycosis masquerading as lung cancer: A case report
Yang Liang Boo ; Kang Nien How ; Decena Shamini Pereira ; Pek Woon Chin ; Foong Kee Kan ; Suat Yee Lim
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(4):246-247
Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare yet important and
challenging diagnosis to make. It is commonly confused
with other lung diseases, such as tuberculosis and
bronchogenic carcinoma, leading to delay diagnosis or
misdiagnosis. A 49-year-old man presented with a chronic
cough, hemoptysis, and pleuritic chest pain. His initial
imaging studies including computed tomography (CT) was
suggestive of bronchogenic carcinoma. A subsequent CTguided
biopsy was consistent with pulmonary
actinomycosis and excluded the possibility of bronchogenic
carcinoma. He was treated with antibiotic therapy and
achieved remission with complete radiological resolution
upon follow-up.