Pulmonologist-led ultrasound guided lung biopsy safety and efficacy: a 4-year experience from a tertiary centre in Northern Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound guided lung biopsy (USLB) is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool with short examination time and real-time monitoring conducted bedside for accurate diagnosis in order to provide the best treatment. However, it is not widely performed by pulmonologists. We aim to explicate the efficacy and safety of USLB led by pulmonologists. The objective of this study is to assess safety and efficacy of USLB performed by pulmonologists in an outpatient setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled patients who underwent the procedure from January 2018 to April 2022. Under real time ultrasound (Hitachi Medical ProSound F37), thoracic lesions adjacent to the chest wall were sampled with a full-core biopsy needle (CT Core Single Action Biopsy Device, 18G × 15 cm, Vigeo, Italy). Chest x-ray was performed 30 minutes post procedure ruling out pneumothorax. Patients were discharged home 1-2 hours post biopsy. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 26. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients (14 males, 4 females) underwent USLB for lung tumours. Biopsies were histologically deemed adequate with an overall diagnostic yield of 77.8% (14/18). A total of 57% were positive for thoracic malignancy (21% squamous cell carcinoma, 21% adenocarcinoma, 15% small cell carcinoma) and another 43% were positive for extra thoracic malignancy (1 hepatocellular carcinoma, 2 DLBCL, 1 Hodgkin's lymphoma, 1 seminoma, 1 thymoma). Four patients had inconclusive results but managed to get positive results from surgical or lymph node biopsy (thymoma and adenocarcinoma). Statistical analysis showed more than two passes are needed to achieve a positive HPE yield (p value<0.05). There were nil complications to all the cases done. CONCLUSIONS: USLB can safely and effectively be performed by trained pulmonologists with excellent accuracy and low complication rate in outpatients.

Not all wheeze is asthma: A case of central airway foreign body mimicking asthma.

Foreign body aspirations are more commonly seen in the paediatric age as compared to adults. This is more widely seen in the older population due to the impairment of protective airway mechanisms or the absence of the swallowing reflex, for instance, in neurological diseases, head trauma, alcohol intoxication, sedation, or complications from dental manipulation. We report the case of a betel nut causing airway obstruction in an elderly lady, which was treated multiple times as respiratory tract infection and asthma. Subsequently, a bronchoscopy was performed. Following which, the betel nut was removed causing resolution of symptoms.

Alternate careers for medical graduates and house officers in Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, many unresolved issues pertaining to house officers in Malaysia have led to a longer waiting time and a 'glut' of medical graduates with a surprising 20% dropout amongst those who join the housemanship programme. This appears to reflect the changing times, mindsets and work expectations of millennials who comprise this cohort reflecting a need to consider possibilities of career shifts especially so in these uncertain times. This study explores the perceptions, awareness and interest in alternative career options amongst recent graduates and house officers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a study done between 2018 and 2019 using a questionnaire which was shared on various social platforms. Data analysis was done using Excel spreadsheet. RESULTS: A total of 450 house officers and 657 medical graduates responded. Expectedly 66.8% claimed lifelong passion whilst another 12.1% claimed family influence as their reason to do medicine. Most were aware of their career challenges and 40% of them were keen to consider career change and reskilling indicating a possible shift from traditional expectations of a medical career. CONCLUSION: Whilst medicine is often considered a true calling, current challenges will require mental and emotional flexibility to explore other career opportunities. Thus, engagement programmes should be directed at medical graduates and house officers to identify and support those open to career transitions. This will help address current issues of internship bottleneck and rising dropout rates amongst internees. Early career change engagements will give them insight into their true career goals whilst opening up opportunities for those who wish to change.

Disseminated tuberculosis - diagnostic challenges of atrial tuberculoma masquerading as atrial myxoma.

A 47-year-old female, with multiple comorbidities, presented with a cough of two months, loss of weight and appetite. She was treated for pneumonia. A chest X-ray showed bilateral reticulonodular opacities. She was noted to have a vague central abdominal mass and a systolic murmur over the mitral region. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed an omental mass and loculated ascites. Oesophagoduedenoscopy showed antral gastritis and during colonoscopy the surgical team was unable to advance the scope beyond 40 cm due to external compression. An echocardiogram showed a right atrial mass and a pericardial effusion over the posterior wall. A possible diagnosis of atrial myxoma was made. Sputum acid-fast bacillus was negative. The patient was treated empirically for disseminated tuberculosis and scheduled for bronchoscopy by the pulmonology team. The patient showed remarkable improvement after day 7 of anti-tuberculosis medication. GeneXpert study came back as positive. CT abdomen and echocardiogram repeated after 2 weeks of treatment showed reduction in the mass.