1.Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm successfully treated with amplatzer vascular plug
Liew Kah Weng ; Benjamin Leong Dak Keung
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(5):302-303
Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm is uncommon. They
usually result from penetrating or blunt trauma, arterial
reconstructive surgery, invasive diagnostic or surgical
orthopedic procedures. They can cause arterial thrombosis
and limb ischeamia. We report a 53 year old Chinese
gentleman with popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm who
presented with right lower limb numbness and paralysis in
toes extension. He gave a history of acupuncture treatment
around the popliteal fossa of the affected limb. Clinical
examination revealed a pulsatile mass in the popliteal fossa.
Computed tomography angiography showed a large, 5 cm,
pseudoaneurysm arising from the popliteal artery. A
diagnostic angiogram was performed and revealed that
there is no run off from the popliteal artery and the tibial
vessels were reconstructed from collaterals. Endovascular
intervention was carried out with an Amplatzer Vascular
Plug to embolise the pseudoaneurysm. The
pseudoaneurysm was successfully excluded and post-op
follow up revealed no more pulsatile mass and improving
lower limb function. To the best of our knowledge this is first
reported case of pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery
secondary to acupuncture in Malaysia.
2.Malignant phyllodes tumors of the breast: A single institution experience
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2018;73(5):297-300
Background: Malignant phyllodes tumors of the breast are
uncommon fibroepithelial breast tumors with diverse
biological behavior. Our study aim is to share our
experience in treating patients with malignant phyllodes
presenting to our center.
3.Assessing Airflow Limitation among Smokers in a Primary Care Setting
Chean Kooi YAU ; Irfhan Ali Hyder Ali ; Fairuz Fadzilah RAHIM ; Chin Jiunn SHENG ; Choi Xin LING ; Liew Kah WENG ; Tan Chia CHIA ; Tan Kean CHYE ; Ooi Siew TING ; Tan Hong JIN
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2018;25(3):78-87
Background: Many smokers have undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), and yet screening for COPD is not recommended. Smokers who know that they haveairflow limitation are more likely to quit smoking. This study aims to identify the prevalence andpredictors of airflow limitation among smokers in primary care.Methods: Current smokers ≥ 40 years old who were asymptomatic clinic attendees in aprimary care setting were recruited consecutively for two months. We used a two-step strategy.Step 1: participants filled in a questionnaire. Step 2: Assessment of airflow limitation using apocket spirometer. Multiple logistic regression was utilised to determine the best risk predictorsfor airflow limitation.Results: Three hundred participants were recruited. Mean age was 58.35 (SD 10.30) yearsold and mean smoking history was 34.56 pack-years (SD 25.23). One in two smokers were found tohave airflow limitation; the predictors were Indian ethnicity, prolonged smoking pack-year historyand Lung Function Questionnaire score ≤ 18. Readiness to quit smoking and the awareness ofCOPD were low.Conclusions: The high prevalence of airflow limitation and low readiness to quit smokingimply urgency with helping smokers to quit smoking. Identifying airflow limitation as an additionalmotivator for smoking cessation intervention may be considered. A two-step case-finding methodis potentially feasible.