Incidence and clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer among multi-ethnic patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: a hospital-based retrospective analysis over two decades.

BACKGROUND: The incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Asian countries is increasing. Furthermore, recent studies have shown a concerning rise in the incidence of CRC among younger patients aged less than 50 years. This study aimed to analyze the incidence trends and clinicopathological features in patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC) and later-onset CRC (at age ≥ 50 years). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 946 patients with CRC diagnosed from 1997 to 2017 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. The time trend was assessed by dividing the two decades into four 5-year periods. The mean age-standardized and age-specific incidence rates were calculated by using the 5-year cumulative population of Kuala Lumpur and World Health Organization standard population. The mean incidence was expressed per 100,000 person-years. RESULTS: After a stable (all age groups) CRC incidence rate during the first decade (3.00 per 100,000 and 3.85 per 100,000), it sharply increased to 6.12 per 100,000 in the 2008-2012 period before decreasing to 4.54 per 100,000 in the 2013-2017 period. The CRC incidence trend in later-onset CRC showed a decrease in the 2013-2017 period. Contrariwise, for age groups of 40-44 and 45-49 years, the trends showed an increase in the latter 15 years of the study period (40-44 years: 1.44 to 1.92 to 2.3 per 100,000; 45-49 years: 2.87 to 2.94 to 4.01 per 100,000). Malays' EOCRC incidence rate increased from 2008-2012 to 2013-2017 for both the age groups 40-44 years (1.46 to 2.89 per 100,000) and 45-49 years (2.73 to 6.51 per 100,000). Nearly one-fifth of EOCRC cases were diagnosed at an advanced stage (Dukes D: 19.9%), and the majority of them had rectal cancer (72.8%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of EOCRC increased over the period 1997-2017; the patients were predominantly Malays, diagnosed at a later stage, and with cancer commonly localized in the rectal region. All the relevant stakeholders need to work on the management and prevention of CRC in Malaysia.

A case of an undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver mimicking a liver abscess.

An undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver is a rare malignant tumour. We highlight the diagnostic dilemma and differential diagnosis of a case involving a large cystic liver lesion in a young adult. A 20-year-old man presented with a large liver lesion to the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in February 2012. The initial clinico-radiological presentations were suggestive of a liver abscess. A total tumour resection was performed and the final histopathological results of the resected specimen indicated an undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver. The ultrasound and computed tomographic images of the tumour were reviewed and found to be contradictory in appearance, as the tumour seemed predominantly solid in the ultrasound image and predominantly cystic in the computed tomographic image. Familiarisation with the imaging appearance of this tumour and a high index of suspicion is therefore crucial in making a successful diagnosis.

Image-guided chemoport insertion by interventional radiologists: A single-center experience on periprocedural complications.

PURPOSE: To report our early experience in image-guided chemoport insertions by interventional radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary center with 161 chemoport insertions done from June 2008 to June 2010. The chemoports were inserted either at the angiography suite or at the mobile operation theater unit. Ninety percent of the chemoports had right internal jugular vein (IJV) as the entry site. Other entry sites included the left IJV, subclavian veins and the inferior vena cava. Immediate and early complications were recorded. All insertions were performed under image guidance with the aid of ultrasound and fluoroscopy. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 99.4%. In terms of immediate complications, there were only two cases of arterial puncture that resolved with local compression. No pneumothorax or air embolism was documented. Twenty-six early complications were recorded. The most common early complication was catheter blockage (12/161; 7.4%), followed by catheter-related infection (9/161; 5.6%). Other complications were catheter malposition, venous thrombosis and catheter dislodgement or leak. A total of 11 (6.8%) chemoports had to be removed within 30 days; most of them were due to infections that failed to respond to systemic antibiotic therapy. In terms of place of procedure, there were no significant differences in complication rates between the angiography suite and the mobile operation theater unit. CONCLUSION: Image-guided chemoport insertion by interventional radiologist gives low periprocedural complication rates. Using right IJV as the entry site, the image guidance gives good success rate with least complication.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: a case report.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare disease with poor prognosis. Treatment including wide or radical excision is very important. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are additional treatment options, but no conclusive results for their efficacy have been shown until date. Imaging modalities can give important clues for diagnosis and management planning. Angioembolization before surgery could be useful as prophylaxis to control intraoperative bleeding, increasing the likelihood of complete resection.

Percutaneous catheter-based rheolytic thrombectomy for massive pulmonary embolism: a case report.

Pulmonary thromboembolism is a life-threatening cardiovascular condition. The mortality rate is high in its current management. Besides supportive treatments, systemic thrombolysis and surgical thrombectomy play important roles in the comprehensive management of pulmonary embolism (PE). The percutaneous catheter-based rheolytic thrombectomy is a promising alternative for management of massive pulmonary emboli, particularly, when patients have contraindication with systemic thrombolysis or are not suitable for surgery. We present the case of a 36-year-old Somalian man who came to our center for a total knee replacement (TKR). Three days after TKR, he developed sudden shortness of breath and decreased oxygen saturation. Computed tomography of pulmonary arteriogram showed extensive thrombi within the main pulmonary trunk, right and left pulmonary arteries, bilateral ascending and bilateral descending pulmonary arteries in keeping with massive PE. Because the patient was contraindicated for systemic thrombolysis, percutaneous, catheter-based rheolytic thrombectomy was chosen as the alternative treatment. His clinical symptoms improved immediately post-treatment. In conclusion, catheter-based rheolytic thrombectomy can serve as an alternative treatment for massive PE with a good clinical outcome.

Necrotizing Fasciitis on the Right Side of the Neck with Internal Jugular Vein Thrombophlebitis and Septic Emboli: A Case of Lemierre's-Like Syndrome.

Lemierre's syndrome (LS) is a rare life-threatening infective condition typically starting with an oropharyngeal infection causing thrombophlebitis and metastatic abscesses. The most common aetiology of LS is Fusobacterium necrophorum; however, it can also occur after infection with other organisms. LS mainly affects young healthy adults. The initial infection site can be in the head and neck or in the abdomen. The morbidity rate of this disease is high despite aggressive treatments. In this article, we report a 63-year-old male patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, presenting with Klebsiella pneumoniae infection-induced necrotizing fasciitis on the right side of the neck, leading to LS.

Y-stent-assisted coil embolisation of wide-necked aneurysms using a new fully retrievable and detachable intracranial stent: report of two cases.

Endovascular treatment of wide-necked aneurysms poses a challenge for the endovascular therapist. The Y-stent-assisted technique has been used for stent-assisted coil embolisation for wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. This technique has been described for basilar tip aneurysms and middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms using Neuroform and Enterprise stents. We report 2 cases of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms that were treated with Y-stent-assisted coil embolisation using a new, fully retrievable and detachable intracranial stent (Solitaire AB™). We describe the advantages of a fully retrievable and detachable stent and its feasibility of forming a Y configuration.

The vanishing veins: difficult venous access in a patient requiring translumbar, transhepatic, and transcollateral central catheter insertion.

Central venous catheter placement is indicated in patients requiring long-term therapy. With repeated venous catheterisations, conventional venous access sites can be exhausted. This case illustrates the expanding role of radiology in managing difficult venous access. We present a case of translumbar, transhepatic, and transcollateral placement of central catheter in a woman with a difficult venous access problem who required lifelong parenteral nutrition secondary to short bowel syndrome. This case highlights the technical aspects of interventional radiology in vascular access management.