Singap Med J
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In Singapore, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be a major public health problem and devastating condition, with significant mortality and morbidity. By understanding the incidence, prevalence and implications of severe TBI in Singapore, strategic plans to meet the unique needs of these patients in the local context may be developed. ⋯ Preventive measures targeting at these high-risk groups are important to reduce the incidence of severe TBI.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Transhiatal versus transthoracic resection for oesophageal carcinoma in Yemen.
Cancer of the oesophagus is a major problem in Yemen, where most of the patients present with advanced disease. Curative oesophageal resection for carcinoma may be carried out by either the transhiatal or transthoracic technique. The aims of this study were to compare the morbidity, mortality, short term outcome and long term survival of the two techniques in the treatment of oesophageal carcinoma. ⋯ Transhiatal oesophagectomy was associated with a higher incidence of anastomotic complications and recurrent laryngeal nerve lesions, but there was no significant difference in the mortality between the two groups.
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Down syndrome was first described as Mongoloid children with European parentage. Although their facial features resemble Orientals or Asians, ocular findings have not been well-documented in Asians, especially Malaysians. Our aim was to identify the ocular findings of Malaysian children with Down syndrome. ⋯ Malaysian children with Down syndrome demonstrated high incidences of epicanthic fold, nystagmus, and strabismus, and absence of Brushfield spots or keratoconus, which are in contrast to the ocular findings in Caucasian patients with Down syndrome. Rare ocular findings, such as bilateral retinoblastoma and retinal detachment, were also observed but their association with Down syndrome is not well-established.