A magnetic resonance imaging study on the articulatory and acoustic speech parameters of Malay vowels.

The phonetic properties of six Malay vowels are investigated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the vocal tract in order to obtain dynamic articulatory parameters during speech production. To resolve image blurring due to the tongue movement during the scanning process, a method based on active contour extraction is used to track tongue contours. The proposed method efficiently tracks tongue contours despite the partial blurring of MRI images. Consequently, the articulatory parameters that are effectively measured as tongue movement is observed, and the specific shape of the tongue and its position for all six uttered Malay vowels are determined.Speech rehabilitation procedure demands some kind of visual perceivable prototype of speech articulation. To investigate the validity of the measured articulatory parameters based on acoustic theory of speech production, an acoustic analysis based on the uttered vowels by subjects has been performed. As the acoustic speech and articulatory parameters of uttered speech were examined, a correlation between formant frequencies and articulatory parameters was observed. The experiments reported a positive correlation between the constriction location of the tongue body and the first formant frequency, as well as a negative correlation between the constriction location of the tongue tip and the second formant frequency. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is an effective tool for the dynamic study of speech production.

Sandstorm appearance of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis incidentally detected in a young, asymptomatic male.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare chronic disease with paucity of symptoms in contrast to the imaging findings. We present a case of a 24-year-old Malay man having an incidental abnormal pre-employment chest radiograph of dense micronodular opacities giving the classical "sandstorm" appearance. High-resolution computed tomography of the lungs showed microcalcifications with subpleural cystic changes. Open lung biopsy showed calcospherites within the alveolar spaces. The radiological and histopathological findings were characteristic of PAM.

Incidental detection of sinus mucosal abnormalities on CT and MRI imaging of the head.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of incidental sinus abnormalities on CT and MRI imaging of the head, and identify if there is any correlation between patient symptomatology and image findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifteen patients who underwent head CT or MRI for non-sinus related indications were included in this study, with image findings being analysed based on the Lund-Mackay Grading System (LMS). These were compared with their symptomatology based on the SNAQ-11 questionnaire. Two reviewers who were blinded to the patients' SNAQ-11 scores analysed the images. Patients were also referred to an ENT surgeon for anterior rhinoscopy in an attempt to seek a correlation between symptomatology and/or imaging findings against clinical assessment. RESULTS: The prevalence of incidental sinus abnormalities is between 14.8% and 37% for CT and 29.5% and 85.2% for MRI, depending upon the cutoff LMS used. There was no significant difference in the incidence rate between the different age groups or genders. Asymptomatic patients had a significantly lower incidence rate of sinus mucosal abnormalities (8.2-57.1%) when compared to the symptomatic patients (33.3-66.7%) (P<0.01). A significant correlation was found between the MRI sinus findings and patients' symptoms (r=0.59, P<0.001) with no correlation demonstrated in the CT group. The mean LM score for the patients with clinical sinusitis was 6.2, while the normal patients had a mean LM score of 2.2. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is more sensitive than CT to detect sinus mucosal abnormalities. A significant correlation is noticed between MRI findings and patients' symptomatology.

Evaluation of bowel distension and mural visualisation using neutral oral contrast agents for multidetector-row computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: We compared the effectiveness of different types of non-commercial neutral oral contrast agents for bowel distension and mural visualisation in computed tomographic (CT) enterography. METHODS: 90 consecutive patients from a group of 108 were randomly assigned to receive water (n = 30), 3.8% milk (n = 30) or 0.1% gastrografin (n = 30) as oral contrast agent. The results were independently reviewed by two radiologists who were blinded to the contrast agents used. The degree of bowel distension was qualitatively scored on a four-point scale. The discrimination of bowel loops, mural visualisation and visualisation of mucosal folds were evaluated on a 'yes' or 'no' basis. Side effects of the various agents were also recorded. RESULTS: 3.8% milk was significantly superior to water for bowel distension (jejunum, ileum and terminal ileum), discrimination of bowel loops (jejunum and ileum), mural visualisation and visualisation of mucosal folds (ileum and terminal ileum). It was also significantly superior to 0.1% gastrografin for bowel distension, discrimination of bowel loops, mural visualisation and visualisation of mucosal folds (jejunum, ileum and terminal ileum). However, 10% of patients who received 3.8% milk reported immediate post-test diarrhoea. No side effects were documented for patients who received water and 0.1% gastrografin. CONCLUSION: 3.8% milk is an effective and superior neutral oral contrast agent for the assessment of the jejunum, ileum and terminal ileum in CT enterography. However, further studies are needed to explore other suitable oral contrast agents for CT enterography in lactose- or cow's milk-intolerant patients.

Hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade: rare complication of radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Local treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been widely used in clinical practice due to its minimal invasiveness and high rate of cure. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used because its treatment effectiveness. However, some serious complications can arise from percutaneous RFA. We present here a rare case of hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade secondary to an anterior cardiac vein (right marginal vein) injury during RFA for treatment of HCC.