1.Malignant melanoma of the ear canal presenting as wart
Rafiqahmed Vasiwala ; Ismail Burud
International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education 2016;10(1):47-48
Abstract: Malignant melanoma is a rare malignancy of
the external auditory canal. The vast majority of them
occur in the areas of the body that are exposed to the sun.
Early histological examination may possibly favor better
prognosis. We report a case of a 38-year-old female who
presented with a small mass in right ear canal, earache
and minimum discharge since 4 months. Initially
scraping was done in the ENT clinic. Subsequently she
had a wide excision done by the end aural approach at
a different hospital. A year later the patient presented
with a swelling involving the ear canal which extended
to the helix and supratemporal region with the histology
report as malignant melanoma. A literature review of
the disease, radiological findings, immunohistochemical
features and treatment options are discussed.
Melanoma
2.Urethral catheter knotting: an avoidable complication
Ismail Burud ; Davaraj Balasingh ; Hikmatullah Qureshi ; Davendralingam Sinniah
International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education 2013;7(1):37-39
Abstract: Urethral catheterisation is a common and
safe procedure performed routinely. The small size
of the urethra in a child necessitates the use of an
infant feeding tube (Size 5 to 8 F) for catheterisation.
Knotting within the bladder is a rare complication with
significant morbidity often necessitating surgical or
endoscopic removal. Insertion of an excessive length
of tube contributes to coiling and knotting. We report
an instance of knotting of an infant feeding tube in
the proximal penile urethra of a 4 year-old male child
requiring urethrotomy to remove it. Awareness of the
risk and proper technique can reduce this complication
3.Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear presenting with aural polyp and facial nerve palsy
Rafiqahmed Vasiwala ; Ismail Burud ; Siew Kheong Lum ; Rajveer Singh Saren
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(5):314-315
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare tumour in the middle ear and
mastoid cavity in children and the diagnosis is difficult.
Repeated histological examination may be essential to
confirm the diagnosis. We report a 6 year old boy with a left
aural polyp, otorrhoea and facial nerve palsy who was
initially thought to have otitis media and mastoiditis. He had
polypectomy and the tissue taken for histopathology
suggested an inflammatory condition. Subsequently he had
mastoidectomy. Tissue taken during mastoidectomy was
however reported as rhabdomyosarcoma. The child
developed a cerebral abscess and eventually succumbed. A
literature review of the disease, radiological findings,
immunohistochemical features and treatment options is
described.
Rhabdomyosarcoma
4.Retention of Knowledge following training of students in Basic Trauma Life Support
Lim Kean Ghee ; Lum Siew Kheong ; Ismail Abdul Sattar Burud
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(6):346-347
Introduction: In the course of their undergraduate training at
the International Medical University, students receive a
Basic Trauma Life Support course.
Objective: We wanted to test the long-term retention of
knowledge (after 16 months) of third year medical students
who had received training in Basic Trauma Life Support
Method: To assess the retention of knowledge one cohort of
students who received the training course were tested again
16 months later using the same 30 question One Best
Answer quiz.
Results: Seventy-three students who underwent the course
sat for the Retention test. The number of students who
passed the Retention test was not significantly different
from the test taken immediately after the course. The mean
scores, 62.5% and 59.5% respectively, were however
significantly different.
Conclusion: Our study involves a relatively long interval
between the course and retention of knowledge test shows
encouraging results.
5.Knowledge, attitude and factors influencing public willingness towards organ donation among hospital patients and relatives in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Ismail Abdul Sattar Burud ; Lim Kean Ghee ; Mahadevan Deva Tata
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(3):260-265
Background: Malaysia continues to have a very low
cadaveric organ donation rate of 0.48 per million population.
The aim of this paper is to assess the attitude, beliefs and
knowledge of patients and relatives at three different
hospitals in Negeri Sembilan towards organ donation to
increase the acceptability of organ transplant.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with
convenient sampling was carried out Hospital Tuanku
Ja’afar, Hospital Port Dickson and Hospital Tuanku Ampuan
Najihah in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The participants
answered a questionnaire regarding the source of their
information about organ donation, their knowledge about
brain death and willingness to donate. The association
between variables was tested using chi-squared test or
Fischer’s exact test as appropriate.
Results: A total of 385 individuals completed the survey of
whom 134 (35%) were willing to donate their organs upon
death and 25(19%) were registered donors. Higher
educational level (41%), age 30 and below (42%) and people
who attended organ donation awareness campaigns (60%)
were more willing to donate their organs. Correct
understanding of brain death was associated with
willingness to be an organ donor. The commonest reason
cited for unwillingness to donate was opposition from family
members.
Conclusion: Marital status, religion, source of knowledge
and occupation are significant factors in willingness to
donate organs among Malaysians. Lower age and higher
educational level were positive factors towards organ
donation. Direct personal contact through awareness
campaigns, family and friends has a potential for greater
positive impact on organ donation.