The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) usage among allergic rhinitis patients in Malaysia.

PURPOSE: We conducted this study to estimate the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) usage among allergic rhinitis (AR) patients in Malaysia and understand the practice of CAM usage among them. We also included a literature review on the commonly used CAM for AR. METHODS: A cross-sectional study which included a questionnaire-based study and information of allergic rhinitis from patient's clinic records. Patients with AR who attended the ORL-HNS department in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia and Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Malaysia were enrolled after consented, on a first-come first-serve basis as convenience sampling from July 2020 until February 2021. A pre-tested self-administered, 16-item questionnaire in Malay language was distributed to the participants. The questionnaire consists of a set of 16 questions with subsets to enquire about the sociodemographic data and pattern of usage of CAM and its effectiveness. RESULTS: 372 patients were enrolled in this study consisting of 217 (58.3%) female and 155 (41.7%) male patients. 231 (62.1%) participants had used CAM for AR in the past 10 years. A higher proportion of females (p = 0.015) and those with higher income (p = 0.004) had used CAM. Among the users, 87.9% found CAM to be effective. No differences were found in terms of age (p = 0.888) and education level (p = 0.057) for CAM usage. CONCLUSION: CAM is widely used in Malaysia to alleviate AR symptoms, with a large proportion of users think it is effective. Therefore, more researches should be conducted to provide evidence and guidance to integrate CAM into AR management.

Post-traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of a Branch of Facial Artery

@#Pseudoaneurysm which is also known as a false aneurysm is caused by extravasation of blood from the injured vessel wall which is contained by the surrounding soft tissue. It does not contain any layer of the vessel wall and can expand as more and more blood collects. We are reporting a case of an 18-year-old Indian gentleman who presented with complaint of left neck swelling after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Examination showed a softly pulsating swelling at the angle of the left mandible. CT angiogram revealed a pseudoaneurysm of a branch of the left facial artery. The pseudoaneurysm was embolized by using histoacryl glue. Pseudoaneurysm should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with a pulsatile mass after trauma.