A 39-year-old man presented with acute left knee pain and swelling. There was limitation of movement of the knee joint. His past medical history was significant for gout. Computed radiography showed bony erosions that were not typical of chronic tophaceous gout. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed focal deposits within the knee joint, which demonstrated isointense signal to muscle on T1-weighted sequence and intermediate signal on proton density (PD) and PD fat-saturated sequences. There was extensive, similar signal abnormality in the cruciate ligaments, popliteus tendon and lateral meniscus. These findings were in keeping with an intra-articular manifestation of chronic tophaceous gout. The clinical presentation and imaging features are herein discussed, with an emphasis on MR imaging.

Background: Little is known about the views of faculty members who train medical students concerning open disclosure. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the views of faculty in a medical school on: 1 what constitutes a medical error and the severity of such an error in relation to medication use or diagnosis; 2 information giving following such an adverse event, based on severity; and 3 acknowledgement of responsibility, remedial action, compensation, disciplinary action, legal action, and reporting to a higher body in relation to such adverse event. Methods: We adapted and contextualized a questionnaire developed from a previous study. The questionnaire had 4 case vignettes that described 1 clear medication error with lifelong disability; 2 possible diagnostic error with lifelong disability; 3 possible diagnostic error without harm; and 4 clear medication error without harm. We invited all faculty members attached to the medical school at the International Medical University to participate in the study. Results: Seventy faculty members took part. Faculty members viewed a medical error as having taken place depending on how clearly an error had occurred (94% and 73% versus 53% and 27%). They viewed cases as more severe based on the severity of complications (85% and 46% versus 5% and 10%). With increasing severity, they tended to attribute responsibility for the event and the duty to disclose towards more senior clinicians. They were also more agreeable with remedial action, compensation, disciplinary action, and reporting to a higher agency. There was no strong evidence of association between these areas and the demographics of faculty members. Conclusions: Faculty members are more likely to perceive an error had occurred depending on the clarity of the circumstances. They viewed severity based on the presence of complications. Severity determined how they attributed responsibility, duty to disclose, and other areas related to open disclosure.

INTRODUCTIONIn Singapore, the age-standardised event rates of myocardial infarction (MI) are 2- and 3-fold higher for Malays and Indians respectively compared to the Chinese. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and quantity of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and non-calcified plaques across these 3 ethnic groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a retrospective descriptive study. We identified 1041 patients (810 Chinese, 139 Malays, 92 Indians) without previous history of cardiovascular disease who underwent cardiac computed tomography for atypical chest pain evaluation. A cardiologist, who was blinded to the patients' clinical demographics, reviewed all scans. We retrospectively analysed all their case records.

RESULTSOverall, Malays were most likely to be active smokers (P = 0.02), Indians had the highest prevalence of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.01) and Chinese had the highest mean age (P <0.0001). The overall prevalence of patients with non-calcified plaques as the only manifestation of sub-clinical coronary artery disease was 2.1%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of CAC, mean CAC score or prevalence of non-calcified plaques among the 3 ethnic groups. Active smoking, age and hypertension were independent predictors of CAC. Non-calcified plaques were positively associated with male gender, age, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONThe higher MI rates in Malays and Indians in Singapore cannot be explained by any difference in CAC or non-calcified plaque. More research with prospective follow-up of larger patient populations is necessary to establish if ethnic-specific calibration of CAC measures is needed to adjust for differences among ethnic groups.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; statistics & numerical data ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; ethnology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; ethnology ; Coronary Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Diabetes Mellitus ; ethnology ; Dyslipidemias ; ethnology ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; ethnology ; India ; ethnology ; Malaysia ; ethnology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; diagnostic imaging ; ethnology ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Smoking ; ethnology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vascular Calcification ; diagnostic imaging ; ethnology

Methods: We recruited young patients with nonspecific low back pain for <3 months, who were otherwise healthy. Each patient had EOS images taken in the flexed, erect and extended positions, in random order, as well as magnetic resonance imaging to assess for disk degeneration. Angular and disk height measurements were performed and compared in all three postures using paired t-tests. Changes in disk height relative to the erect posture were caclulated to determine the alignment-specific load-bearing area of each FSU. Results: Eighty-three patients (415 lumbar intervertebral disks) were studied. Significant alignment changes were found between all three postures at L1/2, and only between erect and flexion at the other FSUs. Disk height measurements showed that the neutral axis of the spine, marked by zones where disk heights did not change, varied between postures and was level specific. The load-bearing areas were also found to be more anterior in flexion and more posterior in extension, with the erect spine resembling the extended spine to a greater extent. Conclusions Load-bearing areas of the lumbar spine are sagittal alignment-specific and level-specific. This may imply that, depending on the surgical realignment strategy, attention should be paid not just to placing an intervertebral cage “as anterior as possible” for generating lordosis, but also on optimizing load-bearing in the lumbar spine.

Tooth pain is a common presentation in primary care, with 32.4% of Singaporeans experiencing pain from dental caries in their lifetime. Some systemic conditions can have oral presentations, and oral conditions may be associated with chronic disease. A good history and examination is key in delineating odontogenic from non-odontogenic causes of tooth pain. Primary care physicians should accurately diagnose and assess common dental conditions and make appropriate referrals to the dentist. Common non-odontogenic causes of orofacial pain can be mostly managed in primary care, but important diagnoses such as acute coronary syndrome, peritonsillar abscess and temporal arteritis must not be missed. Ibuprofen has been shown to be effacious, safe and cost-effective in managing odontogenic pain. Antibiotics are indicated when there is systemic or local spread of dental infection. Without evidence of spread, antibiotics have not been shown to reduce pain or prevent subsequent dental infections.

The number of patients requiring intensive care has surged since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This had rendered the intensive care unit (ICU) a huge challenge not only to provide care for the existing patients but also to support the COVID-19 patients. The ICU was restructured to ensure strict adherence to the infection control guidelines. The aspects of change in the ICU had been ranging from the clinical operation, medication equipment and facilities, medications supply, and staffing. Strategies required upon implementation of change include having contingency plans, being innovative, getting the collaboration from other ICUs, exchanging information, getting support from the health policymakers, and ensuring the safety of the healthcare workers. This article aimed to share the experience of challenges and strategies in managing an ICU for the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.