PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND ASSOCIATION WITH GALLSTONE DISEASE OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE AMONG RURAL INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among Dayak communities in Malaysia, shedding light on an underexplored population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among Dayak villagers in Sarawak aged 18 years and above using an interview-based questionnaire, followed by an anthropometric measurement, a blood test and an abdominal ultrasound. Results: A total of 324 participants met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 42.9% were men, and the mean age was 49.85±14.9 years. The prevalence of NAFLD was substantially high at 58%, with 43.1% of the participants having mild fatty liver (grade 1). NAFLD was closely associated with waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) (P<0.001). Central obesity, as indicated by waist circumference and BMI, emerged as a potent risk factor, with higher values correlating with an increased likelihood of NAFLD. A higher prevalence of NAFLD was observed in the participants with an advancing age, an elevated triglyceride level (66.7%) and a lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (81.6%). However, these associations did not remain significant in the multivariate analysis. Gallstones, which share common risk factors with NAFLD, were not significantly associated with NAFLD in this population (P=0.853). Conclusion: This study defines the prevalence and association of NAFLD with sociodemographic characteristics, health profiles and gallstone disease among indigenous villages in Dayak communities. A high BMI and central obesity are found to be independent risk factors of NAFLD.

Teratoma is a type of germ cell tumor that derived from all the three embryonic layers which are endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. The commonest site of extragonadal germ cell tumor is at the mediastinum, which accounts for 50-70% of all mediastinal tumor. Intrapleural teratoma is exteremely rare, with only one previously reported case to date. Teratoma is usually a slow growing tumor, and symptoms typically presented late as a result of compression or obstruction to the surrounding structures. Due to its rare occurrence, intrapleural teratoma can pose a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Familiarity with the presentation and imaging findings is therefore of great values which can guide the diagnosis and later the specific management plans. This case report highlights the rare case of intrapleural teratoma and summarizes the presentations and imaging findings of intrapleural teratoma which was initially misdiagnosed as empyema thoracis. Several learning points from this case were outlined.

Contrast Enhanced CT Abdomen is usually used to investigate the source of the small bowel obstruction. A 13-year old girl presented with signs of small bowel obstruction and was complicated with acute renal injury. Non-contrast CT Abdomen showed findings consistent with bezoar, and the findings are similar to the features seen in a contrast study. This case shows that both the plain and the contrast CT abdomen give similar findings of bezoar, one not inferior to the other.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare malignant tumor affecting the mesothelium. It commonly manifests as pleural thickening on contrast enhanced CT (CECT) thorax. We reported a case of a young lady who presented with respiratory symptoms and was initially treated as pneumonia. However, she had recurrent episodes of chylothorax with progressive internal jugular vein (IJV), brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava (SVC) thrombosis leading to pulmonary embolism, associated with extensive mediastinal and supracalvicular lymphadenopathies. There are no evidence of pleural thickening in the initial investigations. Our case highlighted that MPM must remain in the differential diagnosis for these presentations, albeit rare.

Sternal cleft is a rare congenital anomaly that is known to be associated with other congenital abnormalities in particular coarctation of aorta and vascular anomalies. We present a case of a young teacher who presented with recurrent episodes of ischemic stroke. During the workup to look for the cause of stroke, it was discovered that this patient had complete midline sternal cleft with underlying coarctation of aorta and left subclavian artery aneurysm. We wish to highlight the relation between the presence of sternal cleft and coarctation of aorta as well as vascular anomalies as one of the rare cause of young stroke.