Tonsillectomy is a very common procedure in Otolaryngology practice. Common complications include bleeding, which can be primary or secondary due to infection of the tonsillar bed. Subcutaneous emphysema after a tonsillectomy is very rare. We report a 19-year-old girl who developed cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema several hours after tonsillectomy with successful conservative treatment outcome.

Introduction: Biomedical research has traditionally been the domain of developed countries. We aim to study the effects of the increased focus on biomedical and medical research on level 1-4 publications in several industrialised and newly industrialised countries endowed with petroleum and gas resources. Methods: We identified all level 1-4 publications from 01/01/1994 to 31/12/2013 via PubMed using advanced options. The population and GDP (current US$) data from 1994-2013 were obtained through data provided by the World Bank and the raw data was normalised based on these two indicators. Results: From 1994-2013, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia were responsible for the highest absolute number of level 1 to 4 biomedical and medical research publications with 2551 and 1951 publications respectively. When normalised to population, Kuwait and Qatar had the highest publication rates, with 7.84 and 3.99 publications per 100,000 inhabitants respectively in a five yearly average. Kuwait produced the largest number of publications per billion (current US$) of GDP, at 2.92 publications, followed by Malaysia at 2.82 publications in a five yearly average. Conclusion: The population size of a country as well as GDP can influence the number of level 1-4 publications in some countries. More importantly, effective government policy which stimulates research as well as a culture which actively promotes research as shown by Malaysia have proven to have a larger influence on the amount of level 1-4 biomedical and medical publications.
Biomedical Research

Introduction (Panimula): Ang Rehiyong Awtonomo ng Bangsamoro sa Muslim Mindanao ay nagpapaigting sa kaparatan ng mga tao tulad ng katutubo at higit sa lahat ay mga muslim. Ang muslim ay ang tumatalima sa Islam at katuruan nito sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggap o pagsasaksi ( ٱلشَّھَادَة ) sa kaisahan ( توحید ) ng Allah ( سُبْحَانَھُوَتَعَالَى ) at bunga nito ang isang muslim ay nagiging bahagi ng relihiyon ( دین ) ng kapayapaan sapagkat ang kapayapaan sa arabe ( سلام ) ay nag mula sa kaparehas na salitang ugat ng Islam, ang ( سِلم ). Ngunit paano bibigyan ng mukha ang kapayapaan sa mga baklang sasailalim sa rehiyong ito sa kulturang hindi hinihikayat (Haram) ang pagpapahayag (gender expression) ng pagiging bakla? Objective (Layunin): Ang pananaw sa bakla ay hindi basta salita bagkus ay isang buong pananaw (holistikong pagtingin sa tao) o pilosopiyang nakapaloob sa kulturang Pilipino na maaring magamit upang maging tulay sa pilipinong kultura ng mga muslim na huhubog sa ating sariling karanasan ng totoong kapayapaan ang malayang kapayapaan Methodology (Pamamaraan): Ang papel na ito ay magtatangka na pagtalabin ang konsepto ng bakla sa konsepto ng Pilipinong muslim gamit ang pamamaraan at dulog ng paglalahad ng kasaysayan na may saysay (dulog ng Qasas قَصَص ) na may pagtindig sa tradisyon ni Ibn Khaldun ang pagsasaysay ng makatotohanang pagsasaysay na sa yaong dulog ay maaring magdulot ng tatlong bunga. Result (Bunga): (1) una, ito ay maaring magpalalim sa pag unawa (Verstehen) sa bawat isa at maging daan tungo sa karanasan ng malayang kapayapaan dahil ang paggamit ng kultura sa talakayan ay nakaugat at mas malapit sa sariling kultura't pananampalatayang Pilipino (2) ang paggamit ng katutubong kultura ay maaring maging mas mabisa sa pagpapalaganap ng kapayapaan dahil malapit ito sa kultura ng taong tatanggap (3) ang katutubong kultura ay malilinang dahil kasabay ng pananampalatayang Pilipino ay magagamit ito sa pagtindig ng kapayapaan na naaayon sa konteksto at pananaw ng mga Pilipino Conclusion (Tugatog) Sa pamamagitang ng paglalahad ng saysay sa kasaysayan makikita natin ang pagkakapareha ng katangiang bakla bilang banayad at mabuti na tumutugon sa katangian ng muslim bilang mabuti na may katangiang لِنْتَ at بِٱلْقِسْطِ na maaring magamit bilang tulay ng dalawan tradisyon.
Sexual and Gender Minorities ; Sexuality

Background: s/Aims: While the effects of myosteatosis are emerging, the evidence for its use as a predictor of outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) still needs to be established. The study aims to evaluate the effect of myosteatosis on the shortand long-term outcomes of PD. Methods: We analyzed the effect of myosteatosis on the short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent PD between July 2006 and May 2013. Myosteatosis was measured retrospectively from preoperative computed tomography (CT) at the L3 vertebra level, and dichotomized as a binary exposure variable as < 38.5 Hounsfield unit (HU) for males, and < 36.1 HU for females. Results: A total of 214 patient (median age 62 years, range: 41−80 years) CTs were analyzed for myosteatosis. Overall, 120/214 (56.1%) patients were classed as having myosteatosis. Both groups had similar comorbidity profiles. The presence of myosteatosis was not shown to increase the rate of any short- or long-term complication. However, pancreatic leak (29.8% vs. 13.3%; p = 0.006) and postoperative bleeding (13.8% vs. 5.0%; p = 0.034) were higher in the non-myosteatosis group. The median intensive care (2 days) and hospital stay (12 days) were the same in both groups. The 30-day mortality (myosteatosis: 3.3% vs. non-myosteatosis: 3.2%; p = 0.95), and 5-year overall survival (myosteatosis: 26.7% vs. non-myosteatosis: 31.9%; p = 0.5), were similar in both groups. Conclusions We have found no evidence supporting myosteatosis affecting either the short-term or long-term outcomes of patients undergoing PD for suspected/confirmed malignant tumors.

Background: s/Aims: While the effects of myosteatosis are emerging, the evidence for its use as a predictor of outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) still needs to be established. The study aims to evaluate the effect of myosteatosis on the shortand long-term outcomes of PD. Methods: We analyzed the effect of myosteatosis on the short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent PD between July 2006 and May 2013. Myosteatosis was measured retrospectively from preoperative computed tomography (CT) at the L3 vertebra level, and dichotomized as a binary exposure variable as < 38.5 Hounsfield unit (HU) for males, and < 36.1 HU for females. Results: A total of 214 patient (median age 62 years, range: 41−80 years) CTs were analyzed for myosteatosis. Overall, 120/214 (56.1%) patients were classed as having myosteatosis. Both groups had similar comorbidity profiles. The presence of myosteatosis was not shown to increase the rate of any short- or long-term complication. However, pancreatic leak (29.8% vs. 13.3%; p = 0.006) and postoperative bleeding (13.8% vs. 5.0%; p = 0.034) were higher in the non-myosteatosis group. The median intensive care (2 days) and hospital stay (12 days) were the same in both groups. The 30-day mortality (myosteatosis: 3.3% vs. non-myosteatosis: 3.2%; p = 0.95), and 5-year overall survival (myosteatosis: 26.7% vs. non-myosteatosis: 31.9%; p = 0.5), were similar in both groups. Conclusions We have found no evidence supporting myosteatosis affecting either the short-term or long-term outcomes of patients undergoing PD for suspected/confirmed malignant tumors.

Background: s/Aims: While the effects of myosteatosis are emerging, the evidence for its use as a predictor of outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) still needs to be established. The study aims to evaluate the effect of myosteatosis on the shortand long-term outcomes of PD. Methods: We analyzed the effect of myosteatosis on the short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent PD between July 2006 and May 2013. Myosteatosis was measured retrospectively from preoperative computed tomography (CT) at the L3 vertebra level, and dichotomized as a binary exposure variable as < 38.5 Hounsfield unit (HU) for males, and < 36.1 HU for females. Results: A total of 214 patient (median age 62 years, range: 41−80 years) CTs were analyzed for myosteatosis. Overall, 120/214 (56.1%) patients were classed as having myosteatosis. Both groups had similar comorbidity profiles. The presence of myosteatosis was not shown to increase the rate of any short- or long-term complication. However, pancreatic leak (29.8% vs. 13.3%; p = 0.006) and postoperative bleeding (13.8% vs. 5.0%; p = 0.034) were higher in the non-myosteatosis group. The median intensive care (2 days) and hospital stay (12 days) were the same in both groups. The 30-day mortality (myosteatosis: 3.3% vs. non-myosteatosis: 3.2%; p = 0.95), and 5-year overall survival (myosteatosis: 26.7% vs. non-myosteatosis: 31.9%; p = 0.5), were similar in both groups. Conclusions We have found no evidence supporting myosteatosis affecting either the short-term or long-term outcomes of patients undergoing PD for suspected/confirmed malignant tumors.

OBJECTIVES: The spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare clinical entity. Patients typically present with sudden onset back pain followed by neurological deficits. METHODS: Diagnosis of SSEH is usually made with MRI and standard treatment is surgical evacuation. In 1996, Groen published the most comprehensive review on the SSEH in which he analyzed 333 cases. We review 104 cases of SSEH presented in the English literature since the last major review and add three of our own cases, for a total of 107 cases. RESULTS: Our patients presented with back pain and neurologic deficits. Two made excellent functional recovery with prompt surgical decompression while one continued to have significant deficits despite evacuation. Better postoperative outcome was associated with less initial neurological dysfunction, shorter time to operation from symptom onset and male patients. CONCLUSION: We discuss the etiology of SSEH and report current trends in diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.
Back Pain ; Decompression, Surgical ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal ; Humans ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Retrospective Studies

INTRODUCTIONSingapore was substantially affected by three 20th Century pandemics. This study describes the course of the pandemics, and the preventive measures adopted.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe reviewed and researched a wide range of material including peer-reviewed journal articles, Ministry of Health reports, Straits Settlements reports and newspaper articles. Monthly mortality data were obtained from various official sources in Singapore.

RESULTSThe 1918 epidemic in Singapore occurred in 2 waves--June to July, and October to November--resulting in up to 3500 deaths. The 1957 epidemic occurred in May, and resulted in widespread morbidity, with 77,000 outpatient attendances in government clinics alone. The 1968 epidemic occurred in August and lasted a few weeks, with outpatient attendances increasing by more than 65%. The preventive measures instituted by the Singapore government during the pandemics included the closure of schools, promulgation of public health messages, setting up of influenza treatment centres, and screening at ports. Students, businessmen and healthcare workers were all severely affected by the pandemics.

CONCLUSIONSTropical cities should be prepared in case of a future pandemic. Some of the preventive measures used in previous pandemics may be applicable during the next pandemic.

Disease Outbreaks ; history ; statistics & numerical data ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; history ; mortality ; Public Health ; history ; Singapore ; epidemiology

McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare and life-threatening disease characterized by the triad of (1) chronic mucous diarrhea, (2) renal function impairment with hydroelectrolyte imbalance, and (3) a giant colorectal tumor. Often, the tumor is a rectal adenoma. With the mortality being certain, if left untreated, it is important to raise awareness on the presentation, diagnosis, and management of this disease entity. Here, we presented 3 cases of McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome that were successfully managed with surgical resection at the Philippine General Hospital from August 2018 to May 2019. Resolution of their symptoms, reversal of their renal impairment, and correction of their electrolyte depletion were noted after removal of the tumor with a sphincter-saving operation.

Buschke-Lowenstein tumor (BLT) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus. This study investigated the profile, management, and outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for BLT from 2015 to 2019 at the Philippine General Hospital. Seven patients underwent surgery for BLT. All were male, with ages ranging from 21 to 41 years. Presenting symptoms were anal mass, foul-smelling discharge, pain, bleeding, and pruritus. All were positive for human immunodeficiency virus. All admitted to having engaged in both insertive and receptive anal intercourse, with multiple partners. All underwent excision with healing by secondary intention. Two had recurrence of warts. Four had an anal stricture. Of these, 3 underwent anal dilatation, while 1 had to undergo proximal bowel diversion. One had intraepithelial carcinoma without dermal invasion on histopathologic analysis. BLT is a rare STI characterized by local aggressiveness but with low malignant potential. Wide excision remains to be the mainstay of treatment.