Abdominal actinomyces infection simulating malignant neoplasm: A case report

Introduction: Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection caused by filamentous anaerobic bacteria of the genus Actinomyces. Abdominal infection mostly involved the ileo-caecal area and can mimick malignant tumour in clinical and radiological examination. Case report: An 82-year-old woman presented with lower abdominal pain for 1 month with palpable abdominal mass. CT TAP showed an infiltrating, heterogenous left lateral abdominal wall mass which might represented primary muscle tumour or metastatic deposit, measuring 5.8x 5.3x2.5 cm. Biopsy was done and showed spindle cells proliferation with inflammation likely caused by infective origin. Laparoscopic converted open excision of left lateral abdominal wall revealed a mass infiltrating the transverse colon and omentum. We received a mass, covered with greenish suppurative exudate and attached to a segment of colon. Histology examination showed an inflammatory and fibrotic mass arising from the outside of the bowel wall with intact andunivolved colon mucosa. There were scattered actinomyces colonies and microabscess seen in the pericolonic tissue. Discussion: Actinomyces secrete proteolytic enzymes and therefore have the tendency to infiltrate the adjacent tissue. Multiorgan involvement is also possible. Culture is difficult because of the anarobic character and the slow growth of actinomyces. Despite CT scan, FNAC and culture, the diagnosis is usually ascertained after histologic examination. Conclusion: This case is presented for its rarity and diagnostic dilemma it presented, be it clinically or by the small biopsy. In conclusion, abdominal actinomycosis is to be considered in the differential diagnosis of an abdominal mass

Pathology Pathways : An Atlas and Self-Assessment

Pathology Pathways: An Atlas and Self Assessment contains pictures of clearly labelled pathology specimens accompanied by the corresponding clinical description. The pathology specimen are also supplemented by multiple choice questions to facilitate readers' understanding of the cases. All of the pathology specimens are available in UNIMAS Pathology Museum for further reference

Myxopapillary ependymoma of cauda equina presented with communicating hydrocephalus and papilloedema : A case report

We reported a case of cauda equina myxopapillary ependymoma in a patient who presented with atypical history of progressive blurring of vision. Ophthalmology examination revealed relative afferent pupillary defect, binasal hemianopia and papilloedema. This case report serves as a reminder that the intraspinal tumour could be a cause of papilloedema, despite rare, should be considered in a hydrocephalus patient who presented with no intracranial pathology and minimal spinal symptoms

Time to flip? Feedback from UNIMAS medical students towards implementation of flipped pathology classroom

This study aimed to explore the perception of year two preclinical medical students towards flipped classroom over conventional teaching method through qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study involved 110 year two preclinical medical students at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak from October 2020 to January 2021. Five one-hour pathology lectures were divided into two parts covering different topics of the lecture. The first half hour used conventional teaching, while the second half hour used flipped classroom. Student feedback was collected through a 19-item, self-administered questionnaire comprising 15 quantitative questions in three structured instruments and four qualitative open-ended questions. The score for mean perception of flipped classroom was significantly different according to place of residence while the mean knowledge acquisition score was significantly different among students using different internet sources. In addition, for examination preparation, slightly more than one third preferred traditional classroom. Six aspects of improvement on flipped classroom were identified: learning materials; teaching methods; quality of resource materials; class activity and interaction; choices of topics for flipped classroom; and time, pace, and atmosphere of lessons. Three aspects of significance of flipped classroom were captured, which included facilitating understanding and revision; flexible time, ability to ask and answer; and ability to share, focus and identify mistakes. A flipped classroom shows much potential in medical education. Future studies on feedback from students are needed to improve the flipped classroom to suit the Malaysian context. Keywords: Flipped classroom, Traditional classroom, Medical student, Perception, Pathology