Thoracic wall metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a teenage boy: a case report

We report an extremely rare case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a 14-year old boy presenting with neck and chest wall metastasis. Radiological and histological examinations established the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with non-keratinizing undifferentiated, WHO Type III form. He received 3 courses of chemotherapy followed by 35 cycles of radiotherapy. The primary site and the neck and chest wall metastases responded well with treatment. At 3 years follow up, the patient is still in a symptomfree and relapse-free state. Despite presenting late, juvenile onset WHO type 3 NPC showed a good response to chemoradiotherapy in our teenage patient

Obstructive sleep apnea: the ‘noisy’ killer

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an upper airway disorder characterized by multiple interruptions of breathing during sleep manifested mainly as apnea or hypopnea. It is a common disorder worldwide. This is an editorial article discussion on why we should not treat OSA lightly as it has huge potential for cardiovascular mortality among its sufferers

Functional anatomy of the airway

Functional anatomy is very important to the doctors who are involved in the airway management. Attention to the details and subtleties of anatomy will often mean the difference between the success and failure of airway management. A clear understanding of the relevant anatomy will guide the choice of intubation, anaesthesia technique, airway instrumentation, and will enhance understanding of the best approach in each patient. It also provides the basis for understanding on how the complications can be avoided and managed should it occurs. The aim of this presentation is to: • Review the anatomy of the airway, specifically the upper airway from nose, nasopharynx, oral cavity and oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchus. The description is more on the applied clinical anatomy, specifically pertaining to how the airway is handled during airway management manoeuvres (intubation and bronchoscopy). • Very briefly discuss the mechanism of airway protection and review the normal processes of swallow, cough, and speech, highlighting the functional relevance of each airway structure. • Describe briefly the difference in adult and paediatric upper airway, specifically pertaining to clinical management and functionality. Key points: • The upper airway provides a natural conduit for respiration, it humidifies and protects the lower airway and participates in the functions of deglutition and phonation. • The larynx is the organ of respiration and phonation. Disruption of its highly innervated structure immediately interferes with upper airway patency and, thus, impedes respiration. • Pediatric airway anatomy varies from that of adult anatomy in the size of the head, the position of the larynx, the shape of the epiglottis, the angle of the mainstem bronchi, and, most importantly, the diameter of the upper airway

Particleboard properties from 2.0mm wood waste particle size in relation to different board density and resin content / Ahmad Hafizuddin Asha'ari

Arise of logging activities cause lowing preserve of soil and the habitat for flora and fauna been reduced due increased demand for wooden materials every year. Besides, one of the alternatives for solid wood furniture which quite popular materials have been used nowadays for exterior and interior was particleboard. In these studies, the main aim to determine mechanical and physical properties from wood waste had been used a raw material for particleboard manufacturing related to different density of board and resin content usage. Two different board densities were use; 650 kg/m3 represented low density board and 750 kg/m3 represented higher density board. 8%, 10% and 12% of resin content were used as another parameter with usage of Urea Formaldehyde as an adhesive. The result showed that particleboard with 750 kg/m3 board density within 12% resin content have the higher value for bending strength and Internal bonding while thickness swelling and water absorption was the lowest values

Kesan filem seram terhadap pegangan agama: suatu tinjauan literatur

Kebelakangan ini penayangan filem bergenre seram samada hasil terbitan dalam mahupun luar negara semakin meluas dan dikhuatiri berupaya menjejaskan akidah masyarakat. Data yang telah dikeluarkan oleh FINAS menunjukkan sepanjang tahun 2003 sehingga kini sebanyak lebih kurang 126 buah filem seram telah ditayangkan di seluruh negara. Lambakan filem bergenre seperti ini menunjukkan ianya semakin diterima oleh masyarakat setempat. Namun, lambakan filem ini dikhuatiri boleh menjejaskan akidah kerana sesebuah filem mungkin sahaja menayangkan visual yang tidak benar mahupun membesar-besarkan perkara yang kecil dan memperkecilkan perkara yang besar. Pandangan yang salah ini bukan sahaja menaikkan emosi tetapi akan memberikan persepsi yang salah terhadap agama. Artikel ini akan membincangkan dapatan daripada sorotan kajian tentang hubungan antara penontonan filem seram dengan penjejasan akidah. Sorotan mendapati bahawa terdapat lima elemen yang boleh menyebabkan seseorang itu dipengaruhi oleh media iaitu peringkat umur, tahap pendidikan/level IQ yang rendah, kekerapan masa menonton, daya tarikan oleh media dan tahap pegangan agama yang rendah. Elemen-elemen ini perlu diuji untuk melihat keabsahannya terhadap kesan filem bergenre seram

Kuantan biggest morning tea: a charity event to support the hearing impaired society

Salam 1 Malaysia The Audiology Unit, Department of ORL-HNS, International Islamic University Malaysia in collaboration with the MMA (Pahang branch) and the Kuantan Municipal Council had successfully organized a charity event called Kuantan Biggest Morning Tea. The event was held in Taman Gelora, Kuantan on 8/8/2010. The main aim was to promote and raise funds for the DENGAR society, while at the same time promoting a healthy lifestyle to the local community. The DENGAR society stands for ‘Persatuan individu bermasalah pendengaran Kuantan’ and is a registered non-profit organisation that supports hearing impaired persons in Kuantan. So far there are nearly 200 registered members that consist of hearing impaired individuals, the family members, school teachers and healthcare professionals. Participants were invited for a various choice of healthy breakfast sold by participating food outlets. There were also stalls selling used clothes and souvenirs. Before the breakfast, an aerobic sessions and light exercise in the park was held under the guidance of professional instructors. Participants also had the opportunity for free hearing screening and free medical check-up. During the event, colouring contests was held for children, and the adults got to participate in the tug of war and ketupat making contest. Dato’ Suhaimi, the state assemblyman (ADUN) of Sg Lembing had officiated the event on behalf of the Chief Minister of Pahang. There were some 1000 participants and the total collection of the day went to the DENGAR society. Due to the overwhelming success of the event, the society (DENGAR) plans to make this as an annual event. Cheerio from Pahan

Bezold’s abscess: a rare complication of acute otitis media

Otitis media is a common disease encountered in the primary practice. Most cases are successfully treated with antibiotics without any sequelae. Because of these, potential serious complications of otitis media may be overlooked. We report a rare case of Bezold’s abscess, as a complication of otitis media and discuss its pathophysiology and management

Pilomatrixoma: a diagnostic pitfall on fine-needle aspiration cytology of benign ‘neck metastases’

Pilomatrixoma is a benign tumour that originates from the matrix of the hair root. This rare tumour is usually managed by the dermatologists. The commonest location of this tumour is in the head and neck region; hence, it can be encountered by any doctors with interest in this area. When presented in the neck, this hard tumour may pose a diagnostic challenge. A case report of pilomatrixoma misdiagnosed as a metastatic neck disease from fine-needle aspiration cytology is presented. The mistake in the diagnosis has led to a more aggressive and high morbidity surgery than necessary. It is important that head and neck doctors be aware of this condition and includes it in the differential diagnosis of hard masses presenting in the neck