The burden of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is likely to increase in the years to come as many countries, particularly those in Asia, face an ageing population. As such, it has been estimated that the number of individuals suffering PD in the world will double by the year 2030. There have been many descriptive epidemiological studies conducted to understand the prevalence and incidence of PD. In this article, the prevalence and incidence of PD in Asians will be reviewed. Analytical epidemiological studies have broadly focussed on demographic and environmental factors associated with PD. Amongst the environmental factors that will be reviewed are: occupational, lifestyle, dietary, and pharmacological factors. This article will also attempt to grade the strength of the association of these epidemiological factors with PD by weighing the evidence for each of these factors. Such an approach will provide a better understanding of the association of epidemiological factors with PD so as to further the understanding of the pathogenesis of PD and to develop better therapeutic interventions.

We report here a case of a kidney transplant recipient in whom the ureter was initially implanted into the peritoneum. Excessive ultrafiltration volume and reversal of serum vs dialysate creatinine ratio when the patient was recommenced on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis first suggested the diagnosis which was subsequently confirmed by a plain abdominal x-ray demonstrating placement of ureteric stent in the peritoneum. This rare complication was successfully corrected with surgical re-implantation of ureter into the bladder and 5 years later, the patient remains well with good graft function.
Cadaver ; Kidney Transplantation/*methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Reoperation ; Replantation ; Ureter/*surgery

We present a case of a 71-year-old male Chamorro patient from Guam who presented with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)-Richardson’s syndrome. Considering his strong family history of parkinsonism and a PSP phenotype, he was clinically diagnosed with Guam parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed prominent midbrain atrophy with preserved pontine volume, forming the ‘hummingbird’ sign, which has not been described before in Guam PDC. Molecular analysis of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 gene (C9orf72) showed only 6 GGGGCC repeats. We discuss the clinico-pathological similarities and differences between PSP and Guam PDC, and highlight the topography of neuropathological changes seen in Guam PDC to explain the appearance of the ‘hummingbird’ sign on MRI.
Aged ; Atrophy ; Brain ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Guam* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mesencephalon ; Open Reading Frames ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Phenotype ; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive

Objective: To report on the incidence, and the clinical and laboratory features of patients seen at the University of Malaya Medical Centre with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. Methods: The charts of all patients admitted to the adult neurology ward with encephalitis over an 18- month period from January 2010 to June 2011 were reviewed. Diagnosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis was based on the presence of encephalitis plus antibody against the NMDAR. Two other paediatric patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis seen over the same period were also included in this report. Results: There was a total of 10 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis seen over the study period. The mean age was 18.1 years (range 9-29 years). Eight patients were female, two male. Five were Malay and fi ve were Chinese. All patients had prominent psychiatric symptoms, followed by epileptic seizures. Nine patients had a movement disorder, orofacial dyskinesia being the commonest, and all had autonomic involvement. None had an underlying tumour. Treatments consisted of corticosteroid, plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The clinical outcome was variable, with full recovery (2), substantial recovery (3), partial recovery (4), and mortality (1) seen. Remarkably, the eight adult cases of anti-NMDAR encephalitis accounted for 50% of the 16 cases of encephalitis seen during the study period. Conclusion: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis may be a relatively common cause of adult encephalitis among certain Asian groups. None of our cases was paraneoplastic in origin.

INTRODUCTIONThe delivery of optimal and safe medical care is critical in healthcare. The traditional practice of "See one, do one and teach one" residency training programme is no longer acceptable.

MATERIALS AND METHODSIn the past, there was no structured residency training programme in our hospital. There were several cases of organ injuries from surgeries performed by the residents. In 2005, we conducted a pilot study to organise a structured teaching, education, surgical accreditation and assessment (TESA) residency programme for 15 residents in the Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital. We performed a written questionnaire survey of the residents on the new programme and patients' expectation (n = 2926) as subjective outcomes in the 1-year follow-up. We also studied the complication rates of all minor and major surgeries performed by the residents in 2004 and 2005 as an objective outcome.

RESULTSAll the residents (n = 15) surveyed supported the TESA programme. Patients' expectation improved significantly from 71% in 2004 (n = 1559) to 83% in 2005 (n = 1367) (P = 0.03). There were 10,755 surgeries in 2004 and 10,558 surgeries in 2005 performed by our residents, with 6 cases (5.6%) of organ injuries in 2004 compared to 3 cases (2.8%) in 2005. This reduction was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONThe TESA residency programme in our hospital has an impact on the delivery of optimal and safe medical care while ensuring the training of residents to be competent specialists.

Accreditation ; Clinical Competence ; Delivery of Health Care ; standards ; Educational Measurement ; General Surgery ; education ; Humans ; Internship and Residency ; methods ; Pilot Projects ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Te djenkol bean (Archidendron pauciforum) is a native delicacy in Southeast Asia, though consumption can sometimes lead to djenkolism. Clinical features of djenkolism include acute abdominal pain, hematuria, urinary retention, and acute kidney injury (AKI). Te pain can be severe, which often leads to a misdiagnosis of acute abdomen. In this paper, we report the case of an Indonesian migrant with djenkolism. Due to the short history and severity of the abdominal pain, medical professionals suspected acute abdomen and proceeded with a negative exploratory laparotomy. However, djenkolism was suspected once relatives informed the professionals that the patient had consumed djenkol beans hours earlier. Te patient recovered through aggressive hydration and urine alkalinization with bicarbonate infusion. We highlight the importance of being aware of this rare cause of AKI, especially in Southeast Asia, in order to provide early diagnoses and prompt treatments.

Aged ; Biopsy ; methods ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Erythema ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Extremities ; pathology ; Fever ; complications ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; analysis ; Male ; Purpura ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Skin ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Vasculitis ; complications ; immunology

Introduction: Bosworth fracture dislocations of the ankle are rare injuries of the ankle caused by extreme external rotation of the supinated foot where the proximal fibula fracture fragment is posteriorly dislocated and entrapped behind the posterior-lateral ridge of the tibia. This case series aims to document three such cases treated in our institution over a nine year period. We also provide a review of 129 cases in the existing literature. Materials and methods: Medical records and relevant radiographs for each patient were analysed and collected from the time of presentation till the point of latest followup. During each clinic visit, all physical exam findings as well as all complications were recorded. The American Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot score was also tabulated for each patient at the point of latest review. Results: Closed reduction was unsuccessful in all three patients, and all required open reduction. One patient had an uncomplicated recovery whilst the remaining two suffered significant soft tissue complications. One patient suffered severe soft tissue swelling preventing primary closure at the time of surgery, whilst another suffered post-operative wound dehiscence and infection. Eventually all fractures healed, and all three patients obtained satisfactory AOFAS scores. Conclusion: The diagnosis of Bosworth fracture dislocations of the ankle is often delayed or missed, due to its rare occurrence. Closed reduction is often unsuccessful, and early open reduction is required to avoid poor clinical outcomes due to severe soft tissue damage or even compartment syndrome.