Respiratory UKMMC

Fakulti Perubatan di Media

Biologic Therapy Offers New Hope For Chronic Asthma Patients (Bernama) Prof Dr Mohamed Faisal Abd Hamid - FPER

Meanwhile, head of the Endoscopy Services Centre at HCTM Prof Dr Mohamed Faisal Abd Hamid said HCTM, a teaching hospital, is the first under the Ministry of Higher Education to use tezepelumab, with Kerol Noraashikin becoming its first patient.

The “Golden S Sign” — a classic radiological clue not to miss.

Seen on chest radiograph as an “S-shaped” contour of the minor fissure, the Golden S sign usually indicates right upper lobe collapse secondary to a central obstructing mass, most commonly bronchogenic carcinoma.

In this case, the imaging demonstrates:

* Right upper lobe collapse
* Associated central/right hilar mass effect
* Pleural effusion with compressive atelectatic changes on CT

Importantly, in patients with a large right hilar/mediastinal mass and upper lobe collapse, superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO) should also be suspected clinically and confirmed on contrast-enhanced CT imaging.

A well organised event by Endoscopy Services Centre led by our team on World Asthma Day 2026 @ HCTM.

Theme: “Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma – still an urgent need”
Raising awareness, improving access, and ensuring better care for all asthma patients.

Let’s take a breath together
From screening to education and interactive sessions—because asthma care should be accessible to all.

📍 HCTM UKM | 5 May 2026, 8am, Main Lobby.

Organised by Endoscopy Unit HCTM, Heart & Lung Centre & Faculty of Medicine UKM

Today’s Grand CME was presented by Dr Jack.

The session focused on benign pleural effusion, outlining a structured clinical approach from initial assessment to more advanced diagnostics. We revisited the application of Light’s criteria and discussed the role of pleural fluid cholesterol in differentiating exudates from transudates. Scoring systems such as the BANCA and PORCEL scores were also highlighted. Key studies such as TAP-IT and REDUCE were mentioned during the session. We also touched on the role of pleurodesis in selected cases of benign effusion, and discussed non-specific pleuritis as an evolving terminology that warrants careful patient follow-up.

We also took the opportunity to bid farewell to our Indonesian colleagues from Padang and Makassar, Dr Teguh, Dr Fariz, and Dr Sucipto. We wish them every success in their continued journey in respiratory medicine.

Journal Presentation by Dr Jack on Asthma in Pregnancy.

An engaging and insightful discussion among our fellows, including both local and international colleagues from Indonesia, with valuable contributions from our anaesthesia attachment team.

We also take this opportunity to bid farewell to future Dr Zain from the UK, who has successfully completed his attachment with our team. Wishing him all the very best in his future endeavours.

Fellows’ discussion and presentation on updates in pleural infection, supervised by Prof Faisal focusing on evolving diagnostic approaches and contemporary management strategies

Superior Vena Cava Obstruction – SVCO:

Axial contrast-enhanced CT images demonstrate a mediastinal mass with marked compression of the superior vena cava (SVC), seen as a slit-like, narrowed lumen on the left image. Post-intervention imaging (right) shows restoration of SVC patency following stent placement. These findings highlight superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO), commonly associated with lung cancer or mediastinal masses.

Learning Points:

-SVCO should be suspected in patients with mediastinal masses or lung cancer, particularly in the presence of facial swelling, dyspnoea, or venous distension.

-CT imaging typically shows narrowing or collapse of the SVC, sometimes appearing as a slit-like lumen.

-Endovascular stenting provides rapid symptomatic relief and is often the preferred initial intervention in malignant SVCO.

-Early recognition is important to prevent complications such as cerebral oedema or airway compromise.

UPAA – Unilateral Pulmonary Artery Atresia:

Axial CT images (mediastinal and lung windows) demonstrate absence of one(Rt) pulmonary artery with a hypoplastic ipsilateral (rt) lung, reduced vascular markings, and relative volume loss. The contralateral lung appears relatively hyperexpanded, likely compensatory. Findings are consistent with unilateral pulmonary artery atresia (UPAA), which may be detected incidentally on imaging.

Learning Points:

-UPAA is a rare congenital anomaly that may remain asymptomatic and be discovered incidentally in adulthood.

-Key CT features include absence of the pulmonary artery, ipsilateral lung hypoplasia, and reduced vascularity, with contralateral compensatory hyperinflation.

-Patients may present later with dyspnoea, recurrent infections, haemoptysis, or pulmonary hypertension.

-Important to recognise as it can be misinterpreted as chronic pulmonary embolism or post-infective changes.

-Management is usually conservative, but complications such as haemoptysis or pulmonary hypertension may require targeted intervention.

Beyond the obvious. Pneumothorax may mimic cardiac emergency. Our 6th publication this year.

https://casereports.bmj.com/content/19/3/e271342

Congratulations to Dr Nadia on this publication, a collaboration with Faculty of Health Sciences and congrats to the entire team as well. This marks Respiratory HCTM UKM research group’s 5th publication involvement in the first quarter of the year.

This randomized controlled trial showed that low-dose yeast beta-glucan significantly reduced upper respiratory tract symptom severity and improved mood in moderately stressed adults, with the 204 mg dose achieving clinically meaningful benefit and good safety profile.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.115120