Risk Factors Associated with Outcome of Spontaneous Intracerebral Haemorrhage: Hospital Kuala Lumpur Experience.

Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Malaysia. This study aims to evaluate the mortality risk factors of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Methods: A single centre prospective cohort study was performed between 1 May 2017 and 30 April 2018 for patients above 18 years old with spontaneous ICH.

Limited Evaluation of Image Quality Produced by a Portable Head CT Scanner (CereTom) in a Neurosurgery Centre.

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is the preferred diagnostic toolkit for head and brain imaging of head injury. A recent development is the invention of a portable CT scanner that can be beneficial from a clinical point of view.

Aim: To compare the quality of CT brain images produced by a fixed CT scanner and a portable CT scanner (CereTom).

History of Neurosurgery in Malaysia.

The development of neurosurgical services and training in Malaysia began in 1963, with the first centre established in its capital city at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, aimed to provide much needed neurosurgical services and training in the field of neurology and neurosurgery. This center subsequently expanded in 1975 with the establishment of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Neuroscience Institute (IKTAR); which integrated the three allied interdependent disciplines of neurosurgery, neurology and psychiatry. The establishment of this institute catalysed the rapid expansion of neurosurgical services in Malaysia and paved the way for development of comprehensive training for doctors, nurses, and paramedics.

A randomised control trial on the use of topical methicillin in reducing post-operative ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection.

Background: A double-blind randomised control study was conducted on all patients who were admitted or referred to the Department of Neurosurgery, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, with a diagnosis of hydrocephalus where a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was indicated.

Methods: The period of study was from November 2005 to May 2007, and the follow-up period was 3 months after surgery. Randomisation was carried out in the operating room prior to the procedure.

Tailoring teleconsultation to meet the current needs of neurosurgical services: a multimodality oriented neurosurgical consultation.

Teleconsultation in Neurosurgery was introduced in Malaysia in 2006 with the aims of enhancing quality services in the field of Neurosurgery. The present teleconsultation system is equipped with user friendly features which allow physicians to send and neurosurgeons to gain access to patient data in a swift and effective manner. In the past, teleconsultation in neurosurgery was tied with teleradiology, however we have now developed a multimodality system to cater specifically for neurosurgery.

Treatment outcome of superficial cerebral abscess: an analysis of two surgical methods.

Background: The purpose of the study is to compare the two surgical methods (burr hole and craniotomy) used as treatment for superficial cerebral abscess and its outcome in terms of radiological clearance on brain CT, improvement of neurological status, the need for repeated surgery, and survival and morbidity at three months after surgery. This report is a retrospective case review of the patients who were treated surgically for superficial cerebral abscess in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) over a period of four years (2004 to 2007).

Methods: Fifty-one cases were included in this study: 64.

Delayed traumatic intracranial haemorrhage and progressive traumatic brain injury in a major referral centre based in a developing country.

A repeat Computer Tomographic (CT) brain after 24-48 hours from the 1(st) scanning is usually practiced in most hospitals in South East Asia where intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP) is routinely not done. This interval for repeat CT would be shortened if there was a deterioration in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Most of the time the prognosis of any intervention may be too late especially in hospitals with high patient-to-doctor ratio causing high mortality and morbidity.

Outcome of 2 different types of operative techniques practiced for chronic subdural hematoma in Malaysia: an analysis.

Background: Traumatic chronic subdural hematomas in Malaysia are increasingly common in young patients after road traffic accidents as well as the elderly who fall at home. Most surgeons in this country manage these pathologies without irrigation, with only a drainage system. This has led to criticism that the recurrence rate might be higher when no irrigation is done and that rates are lower with irrigation and drainage.

Head injury from fan blades among children.

Objective: Head injury caused by fan blades is rare among children. We analysed 14 cases of such injury and discuss the causes, type of injury and preventive measures.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 14 cases of children who were admitted to the Pediatric Neurosurgical Unit of Hospital Kuala Lumpur after sustaining head injuries caused by fan blades between January 2000 and December 2002 was performed.