Electronic ISSN 2287-0237

VOLUME

EDITORIAL

SEPTEMBER 2011 - VOL.2 | EDITORIAL

   We were thrilled that the first edition of the Bangkok Medical Journal received a good response and many compliments from our readers. In our review of the second edition, we are pleased to continue to offer a range of interesting and informative articles, some of which are linked to those published in our first edition.

   Three of the four original pieces published in this issue address using the latest technology to improve detection and diagnostics for serious illnesses. Dr.Attawut's retrospective study of colorectal patients in Wattanasoth Hospital illustrates the clear association between PET/CT scan diagnoses of suspicious malignancies and final histopathological lymphadenopathies. Dr.Lertlak continues the discussion about 256-Slice Multi-Detector Computed Tomography. Our previous edition looked at its sensitivity and specificity in detection of coronary artery stenosis. This recent article continues comparisons with the gold standard ICA in assessing coronary graft patency. Dr.Sawang explores the efficacy of using endobronchial ultrasonography to diagnose peripheral lung lesions, rather than subjecting patients to more hazardous examinations such as open thoracotomy or taking tissue samples. Finally  Dr.Permyos describes both the feasibility and efficacy of stem cell transplantation in ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, detailing the treatment and giving the results of cases treated in the Bangkok Heart Hospital over a five year period.

   Our case reports also highlight the increasingly important role of using advanced medical equipment in the accurate detection of disease. Dr.Chirotchana details how CT and MRI confirmed the presence of tuberculous pericarditis, although neither the PCR nor the sputum examination had revealed tuberculosis bacteria. Dr.Montri illustrates how MRI was able to identify hypothalamic hamartoma as the cause of a young boy's gelastic seizures which had gone undiagnosed for several years. From the south of Thailand, Dr.Jumpot reports on the successful first laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy performed at Bangkok Hospital Hat Yai. Dr.Sukree gives an excellent analytic review of the studies which have led to Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty returning to favor with surgeons, as the treatment of choice in knee osteoarthritis. Dr.Chirotchana and colleagues discuss radiography room design, and how to upgrade hospitals x-ray departments from analog to digital imaging whilst still being mindful of budget constraints. Dr.Koonlawee explains how several studies by the Pacific Rim Electrophysiology Research Institute have provided good evidence towards proving that substrate ablation guided by CFAE mapping as an alternative to anatomical approach of PVI, is effective in both acute termination of Atrial Fibrillation and maintaining sinus rhythm.

   In our CME section, Dr. Kiratikorn recommends Stratified Care for migraine patients and discusses medications in much detail, which will doubtlessly assist doctors treating this debilitating condition which affects up to 29% of the Thai population. We are also pleased to be able to use the Journal to better publicize the Vejdusit Foundation's Scholarship which encourages Thai medical research.

   To conclude, this edition continues to detail the exciting experience of doctors in the Bangkok Hospital and our network of hospitals, with particular regard to cutting edge techniques and advances in modern medicine. We hope that sharing this information will be of much assistance to all medical practitioners and their patients in Thailand and the Asia region.

 

 

Chirotchana Suchato, MD

Editor in Chief

Rergchai Varatorn, MD

Co-Editor