1.Primary Sternal Osteosarcoma Mimicking a Breast Mass in a Young Female
Leong Wai LING ; Marlina Tanty Ramli HAMID ; Chan Wai YEE ; Ng Wei LIN ; Mun Kein SEONG ; Kartini RAHMAT
Brunei International Medical Journal 2026;22():88-92
Case Report Open Access 15 Primary sternal osteosarcoma is an exceptionally rare entity with a male preponderance. We report a rare case of a 19 -year-old nulliparous female who presented with a two -year history of a progressively enlarging right breast mass. Multimodality imaging —including chest radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large mass arising from the sternum extending into the right breast and anterior mediastinum. Biopsy confirmed high - grade osteosarcoma, characterised by multinucleated giant cells and stromal cells with mild atypia. Immunohistochemistry was positive for vimentin and negative for CK7. Surgical resection was planned; however, the patient declined treatment. This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in atypical presentations of breast masses and underscores the value of imaging and histopathological correlation in diagnosis and management
2.Primary Sternal Osteosarcoma Mimicking a Breast Mass in a Young Female
Leong Wai LING ; Marlina Tanty Ramli HAMID ; Chan Wai YEE ; Ng Wei LIN ; Mun Kein SEONG ; Kartini RAHMAT
Brunei International Medical Journal 2026;22():88-92
Case Report Open Access 15 Primary sternal osteosarcoma is an exceptionally rare entity with a male preponderance. We report a rare case of a 19 -year-old nulliparous female who presented with a two -year history of a progressively enlarging right breast mass. Multimodality imaging —including chest radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large mass arising from the sternum extending into the right breast and anterior mediastinum. Biopsy confirmed high - grade osteosarcoma, characterised by multinucleated giant cells and stromal cells with mild atypia. Immunohistochemistry was positive for vimentin and negative for CK7. Surgical resection was planned; however, the patient declined treatment. This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in atypical presentations of breast masses and underscores the value of imaging and histopathological correlation in diagnosis and management
3.Risk Assessment for Ramadan Fasting in People With Diabetes in Hospital-Based Diabetes Clinics Using the Updated 2026 IDF-DAR Risk Calculator
Raja Nurazni Raja Azwan ; Chin Voon Tong ; Lisa Mohamed Nor ; Marisa Khatijah Borhan ; Syarifah Syahirah Syed Abas ; Poh Shean Wong ; Ying Jie Tan ; Shartiyah Ismail ; Eunice Yi Chwen Lau ; Yueh Chien Kuan ; Noor Hafis Md Tob ; Shu Teng Chai ; Pei Lin Chan ; Xe Hui Lee ; Wei Wei Ng ; Jin Hui Ho ; Miza Hiryanti Zakaria ; Rabeah Md Zuki ; Wan Mohd Hafez Wan Hamzah ; Melissa Vergis ; Choon Peng Sun ; Vanusha Devaraja Pillai ; Chee Koon Low ; Shazatul Reza Mohd Redzuan ; Xin-Yi Ooi ; Siti Sanaa Wan Azman ; Deviga Lachumanan ; Saiful Shahrizal Shudim ; Zanariah Hussein
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):42-43
Introduction:
The 2021 IDF-DAR risk calculator had been previously
evaluated in multiple studies and subsequently widely
accepted and applied in clinical practice as a practical
standardized tool for patient risk stratification. Recently
updated, the 2026 IDF-DAR Risk calculator enables a more individualized, evidence-related evaluation of patientrelated and disease-related risk factors, incorporating
modern diabetes technologies, including continuous
glucose monitoring (CGM), automated insulin delivery
(AID) systems, and advanced insulin formulations to
enhance risk stratification. This tool allows medical
professionals to tailor Ramadan practices based on overall
factors toward promoting safe fasting.
Methodology:
This prospective multicentre observational study recruited
adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes attending public
hospitals nationwide. People with diabetes (PwD) intending
to perform Ramadan fasting were invited to participate
and assessed using the 2026 IDF-DAR Risk Calculator in
the 6-week pre-Ramadan period between 30th January and
19th March 2026.
Results:
A total of 458 PwD were evaluated and stratified into low
(15.7%), moderate (41%), and high risk (43.3%) categories.
Most participants had Type 2 diabetes (83.6%), with 60.3%
having a disease duration exceeding 10 years and 43%
exhibiting poor glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c >9%).
Insulin therapy was used by 76.4% of participants, including
two individuals with Type 1 diabetes using AID systems.
Most participants reported no recent hypoglycemia (76.4%),
81.0% performed glucose monitoring, and 3.3% used CGM.
Severe comorbidities were uncommon, with 1.1% having
unstable macrovascular disease and 4.4% advanced chronic
kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30).
Notably, 72.2% received structured Ramadan education.
Conclusion
Majority of PwD attending tertiary diabetes clinics were
in the moderate- to high-risk category and intended to
fast despite medical advice against fasting in some cases.
Although most participants were on insulin therapy,
hypoglycemia was low in the pre-Ramadan period.
Integration of modern technologies, advanced insulin
therapies, and structured education may support safer
fasting practices.
Risk Assessment
;
Diabetes Mellitus
;
Hospitals
;
Fasting
4.Risk and protective factors associated with adolescent depression in Singapore: a systematic review.
Wei Sheng GOH ; Jun Hao Norman TAN ; Yang LUO ; Sok Hui NG ; Mohamed Sufyan Bin Mohamed SULAIMAN ; John Chee Meng WONG ; Victor Weng Keong LOH
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(1):2-14
INTRODUCTION:
Adolescent depression is prevalent, and teen suicide rates are on the rise locally. A systemic review to understand associated risk and protective factors is important to strengthen measures for the prevention and early detection of adolescent depression and suicide in Singapore. This systematic review aims to identify the factors associated with adolescent depression in Singapore.
METHODS:
A systematic search on the following databases was performed on 21 May 2020: PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO. Full texts were reviewed for eligibility, and the included studies were appraised for quality using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Narrative synthesis of the finalised articles was performed through thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
In total, eight studies were included in this review. The four factors associated with adolescent depression identified were: (1) sociodemographic factors (gender, ethnicity); (2) psychological factors, including childhood maltreatment exposure and psychological constructs (hope, optimism); (3) coexisting chronic medical conditions (asthma); and (4) lifestyle factors (sleep inadequacy, excessive internet use and pathological gaming).
CONCLUSION
The identified factors were largely similar to those reported in the global literature, except for sleep inadequacy along with conspicuously absent factors such as academic stress and strict parenting, which should prompt further research in these areas. Further research should focus on current and prospective interventions to improve mental health literacy, targeting sleep duration, internet use and gaming, and mitigating the risk of depression in patients with chronic disease in the primary care and community setting.
Humans
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Adolescent
;
Risk Factors
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Protective Factors
;
Male
;
Female
;
Life Style
;
Suicide
5.Oncology-related emergencies discharged from the emergency department.
Si-Hua Yvonne GOH ; Juin Jie NG ; Shi-En Joanna CHAN ; Wei-Lin Tallie CHUA ; Venkataraman ANANTHARAMAN
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(2):97-101
INTRODUCTION:
Cancer patients attending emergency departments (EDs) often present with acute symptoms and are frequently admitted. This study aimed to characterise the profile of oncology patients who were discharged from the ED.
METHODS:
This was a retrospective audit of patients with cancer-related diagnoses who presented to the ED at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) over a 6-month period from 1 October 2018 to 31 March 2019 and were directly discharged from the ED. Data was extracted from the hospital's electronic medical record system.
RESULTS:
Of the 492 participants included in the study, the majority were triaged as Priority 2 (61.4%), while 30.7% were triaged as Priority 3, 6.9% as Priority 1 and 1.0% as Priority 4. There was no statistical difference between the National Early Warning scores across the different triage categories in these patients. The most common complaint was (44.3%), followed by genitourinary symptoms (19.5%) and those related to devices, catheters or stomas (17.3%). More investigations of all types were done for patients being managed in Priority 1 (57.6%) than in the other triage categories (40.1% for Priority 2, 23.2% for Priority 3 and 12.0% for Priority 4). Treatment procedures carried out were mainly symptomatic (analgesics, antiemetics, proton pump inhibitors) for 79.8% of the patients. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients requiring various treatment modalities among the triage categories.
CONCLUSION
Selected oncological patients may potentially be managed in an ambulatory setting.
Humans
;
Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Female
;
Neoplasms/diagnosis*
;
Male
;
Singapore
;
Patient Discharge/statistics & numerical data*
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Triage
;
Adult
;
Emergencies
;
Aged, 80 and over
6.Upper airway stimulation for obstructive sleep apnoea in Asians: A Singapore sleep centre experience.
Shaun Ray Han LOH ; Adele Chin Wei NG ; Benjamin Kye Jyn TAN ; Brian Sheng Yep YEO ; Jaclyn Yu Ting TEO ; Nurina Binte MOHD ISA ; Maythad UATAYA ; Liang Chye GOH ; Mimi YOW ; Song Tar TOH
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(5):316-318
7.Asia-Pacific consensus on long-term and sequential therapy for osteoporosis
Ta-Wei TAI ; Hsuan-Yu CHEN ; Chien-An SHIH ; Chun-Feng HUANG ; Eugene MCCLOSKEY ; Joon-Kiong LEE ; Swan Sim YEAP ; Ching-Lung CHEUNG ; Natthinee CHARATCHAROENWITTHAYA ; Unnop JAISAMRARN ; Vilai KUPTNIRATSAIKUL ; Rong-Sen YANG ; Sung-Yen LIN ; Akira TAGUCHI ; Satoshi MORI ; Julie LI-YU ; Seng Bin ANG ; Ding-Cheng CHAN ; Wai Sin CHAN ; Hou NG ; Jung-Fu CHEN ; Shih-Te TU ; Hai-Hua CHUANG ; Yin-Fan CHANG ; Fang-Ping CHEN ; Keh-Sung TSAI ; Peter R. EBELING ; Fernando MARIN ; Francisco Javier Nistal RODRÍGUEZ ; Huipeng SHI ; Kyu Ri HWANG ; Kwang-Kyoun KIM ; Yoon-Sok CHUNG ; Ian R. REID ; Manju CHANDRAN ; Serge FERRARI ; E Michael LEWIECKI ; Fen Lee HEW ; Lan T. HO-PHAM ; Tuan Van NGUYEN ; Van Hy NGUYEN ; Sarath LEKAMWASAM ; Dipendra PANDEY ; Sanjay BHADADA ; Chung-Hwan CHEN ; Jawl-Shan HWANG ; Chih-Hsing WU
Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia 2024;10(1):3-10
Objectives:
This study aimed to present the Asia-Pacific consensus on long-term and sequential therapy for osteoporosis, offering evidence-based recommendations for the effective management of this chronic condition.The primary focus is on achieving optimal fracture prevention through a comprehensive, individualized approach.
Methods:
A panel of experts convened to develop consensus statements by synthesizing the current literature and leveraging clinical expertise. The review encompassed long-term anti-osteoporosis medication goals, first-line treatments for individuals at very high fracture risk, and the strategic integration of anabolic and anti resorptive agents in sequential therapy approaches.
Results:
The panelists reached a consensus on 12 statements. Key recommendations included advocating for anabolic agents as the first-line treatment for individuals at very high fracture risk and transitioning to anti resorptive agents following the completion of anabolic therapy. Anabolic therapy remains an option for in dividuals experiencing new fractures or persistent high fracture risk despite antiresorptive treatment. In cases of inadequate response, the consensus recommended considering a switch to more potent medications. The consensus also addressed the management of medication-related complications, proposing alternatives instead of discontinuation of treatment.
Conclusions
This consensus provides a comprehensive, cost-effective strategy for fracture prevention with an emphasis on shared decision-making and the incorporation of country-specific case management systems, such as fracture liaison services. It serves as a valuable guide for healthcare professionals in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to the ongoing evolution of osteoporosis management.
8.Knowledge, attitudes and readiness of final-year medical students towards clinical goals-of-care discussion.
Isaac Kah Siang NG ; Wilson Guo Wei GOH ; Christopher Zi Yi THONG ; Li Feng TAN ; Chong Han PEH ; Ken Xingyu CHEN ; Pamela GOH ; Desmond B TEO
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2024;53(12):768-771
10.Laser hemorrhoidoplasty versus conventional hemorrhoidectomy for grade II/III hemorrhoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Ian Jun Yan WEE ; Chee Hoe KOO ; Isaac SEOW-EN ; Yvonne Ying Ru NG ; Wenjie LIN ; Emile John Kwong-Wei TAN
Annals of Coloproctology 2023;39(1):3-10
Purpose:
This study compared the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LH) vs. conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) in patients with grade II/III hemorrhoids.
Methods:
PubMed/Medline and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing LH against CH in grade II/III hemorrhoids. The primary outcomes included postoperative use of analgesia, postoperative morbidity (bleeding, urinary retention, pain, thrombosis), and time of return to work/daily activities.
Results:
Nine studies totaling 661 patients (LH, 336 and CH, 325) were included. The LH group had shorter operative time (P<0.001) and less intraoperative blood loss (P<0.001). Postoperative pain was lower in the LH group, with lower postoperative day 1 (mean difference [MD], –2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], –3.44 to –0.75; P=0.002) and postoperative day 7 (MD, –3.94; 95% CI, –6.36 to –1.52; P=0.001) visual analogue scores and use of analgesia (risk ratio [RR], 0.59; 95% CI, 0.42–0.81; P=0.001). The risk of postoperative bleeding was also lower in the LH group (RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.12– 0.28; P<0.001), with a quicker return to work or daily activities (P=0.002). The 12-month risks of bleeding (P>0.999) and prolapse (P=0.240), and the likelihood of complete resolution at 12 months, were similar (P=0.240).
Conclusion
LH offers more favorable short-term clinical outcomes than CH, with reduced morbidity and pain and earlier return to work or daily activities. Medium-term symptom recurrence at 12 months was similar. Our results should be verified in future well-designed trials with larger samples.


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