The upper respiratory tract microbiome of indigenous Orang Asli in north-eastern Peninsular Malaysia.

Much microbiome research has focused on populations that are predominantly of European descent, and from narrow demographics that do not capture the socio-economic and lifestyle differences which impact human health. Here we examined the airway microbiomes of the Orang Asli, the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. A total of 130 participants were recruited from two sites in the north-eastern state of Terengganu in Peninsular Malaysia.

An outcome of Surgically Treated Head and Neck Cancer in one of the tertiary Referral Center in the East Coast of Malaysia: A 6-year Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Surgical management of head and neck cancer is undoubtedly challenging, and we would like to see the outcome of managing such cases at one of the tertiary referral center in the East Coast of Malaysia.

Methods: A 6-year retrospective analysis of surgically treated head and neck cancer cases in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) Kuantan, Pahang was conducted.

Results: The total number of patients reviewed was 55 and mean age of the patients was 59 years (SD 12).

A simple, safe, and effective surgical technique for the treatment of post-traumatic parotid sialocoele.

Post-traumatic parotid sialocoele is a subcutaneous extravasation of saliva from the parotid gland secondary to traumatic disruption of its duct or parenchyma. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the best therapy for parotid sialocoele, as it is resistant to conservative management. The present paper puts forward a relatively simple, safe and effective technique for the treatment of parotid sialocoele, specifically a peroral drainage technique.

Bilateral vocal cord palsy as the sole presentation of acquired syphilis.

Bilateral vocal cord palsy is almost always caused by neck surgery, particularly surgery of the thyroid. We report a case of bilateral vocal cord palsy requiring emergency surgery to relieve the airway obstruction as the sole presentation of acquired syphilis. As the incidence of syphilis worldwide is rising, this unusual presentation may give clinicians a different perspective on the disease.