Methods: This study included 41 patients with single-level grades 1 or 2 LS from February 2023 to February 2024. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bridwell fusion grades were evaluated via lumbar spine computed tomography performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 months (range, 7–18 months), significant improvements were observed in VAS scores for low back pain (from 7.8±0.8 to 2.1±1.4) and leg pain (from 8.1±1.3 to 1.9±1.5) as well as ODI scores (from 50.4±15.4 to 14.8±10.5). The cohort consisted of patients with grades 1 (73.2%) and 2 LS (26.8%) at L4–L5 (58.6%), L5–S1 (34.1%), and L3–L4 (7.3%) levels. The mean operation time was 182.8±36.4 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 190.5±81.3 mL and a mean hospital stay of 7.2±3.6 days. Successful fusion (Bridwell grades I/II) was achieved in 82.9% of the cases, with a 4.9% incidence of cage subsidence. Minor complications included durotomies in two patients (4.9%), whereas no major complications, such as nerve root injury, hardware-related issues, or postoperative infections, were reported. Conclusions The described BE-LIF technique, using HA bone grafts, which are an autologous bone from the preserved IAP, and a TLIF cage, is a viable, safe, and effective option for treating low-grade LS. This approach achieves favorable clinical outcomes and high fusion rates, which provides a cost-effective alternative to advanced surgical implants.

The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

Methods: This study included 41 patients with single-level grades 1 or 2 LS from February 2023 to February 2024. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bridwell fusion grades were evaluated via lumbar spine computed tomography performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 months (range, 7–18 months), significant improvements were observed in VAS scores for low back pain (from 7.8±0.8 to 2.1±1.4) and leg pain (from 8.1±1.3 to 1.9±1.5) as well as ODI scores (from 50.4±15.4 to 14.8±10.5). The cohort consisted of patients with grades 1 (73.2%) and 2 LS (26.8%) at L4–L5 (58.6%), L5–S1 (34.1%), and L3–L4 (7.3%) levels. The mean operation time was 182.8±36.4 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 190.5±81.3 mL and a mean hospital stay of 7.2±3.6 days. Successful fusion (Bridwell grades I/II) was achieved in 82.9% of the cases, with a 4.9% incidence of cage subsidence. Minor complications included durotomies in two patients (4.9%), whereas no major complications, such as nerve root injury, hardware-related issues, or postoperative infections, were reported. Conclusions The described BE-LIF technique, using HA bone grafts, which are an autologous bone from the preserved IAP, and a TLIF cage, is a viable, safe, and effective option for treating low-grade LS. This approach achieves favorable clinical outcomes and high fusion rates, which provides a cost-effective alternative to advanced surgical implants.

Methods: This study included 41 patients with single-level grades 1 or 2 LS from February 2023 to February 2024. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bridwell fusion grades were evaluated via lumbar spine computed tomography performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 months (range, 7–18 months), significant improvements were observed in VAS scores for low back pain (from 7.8±0.8 to 2.1±1.4) and leg pain (from 8.1±1.3 to 1.9±1.5) as well as ODI scores (from 50.4±15.4 to 14.8±10.5). The cohort consisted of patients with grades 1 (73.2%) and 2 LS (26.8%) at L4–L5 (58.6%), L5–S1 (34.1%), and L3–L4 (7.3%) levels. The mean operation time was 182.8±36.4 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 190.5±81.3 mL and a mean hospital stay of 7.2±3.6 days. Successful fusion (Bridwell grades I/II) was achieved in 82.9% of the cases, with a 4.9% incidence of cage subsidence. Minor complications included durotomies in two patients (4.9%), whereas no major complications, such as nerve root injury, hardware-related issues, or postoperative infections, were reported. Conclusions The described BE-LIF technique, using HA bone grafts, which are an autologous bone from the preserved IAP, and a TLIF cage, is a viable, safe, and effective option for treating low-grade LS. This approach achieves favorable clinical outcomes and high fusion rates, which provides a cost-effective alternative to advanced surgical implants.

The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

Postoperative discal pseudocyst (PDP) is a rare complication after surgery for lumbar disc herniation. The literature on this condition is sparse, with most studies being limited to case reports. Various hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of PDP have been proposed; however, the exact mechanisms remain unclear and are not well described in the current literature. We present a case of PDP following percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID), which was revised through biportal endoscopic spinal surgery. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, aiming to provide a more detailed description of the proposed mechanisms underlying PDP, particularly after PEID, and to summarize current trends in the treatment of this complication.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-TLIF) using banana-shaped versus straight interbody cages. BE-TLIF has emerged as a minimally invasive technique for treating lumbar spondylolisthesis. Banana-shaped and straight cages are the most commonly used cage types in BE-TLIF; however, their relative clinical and radiological outcomes remain unclear. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 34 patients undergoing single-level BE-TLIF from January 2023 to May 2024. Seventeen patients received banana-shaped cages (group A) and 17 received straight cages (group B). Radiological assessments included disc height (DH), segmental lordosis angle (SLA), lumbar lordosis angle, cage position, and subsidence. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Fusion status was evaluated at 12 months postoperatively using computed tomography according to the modified Bridwell grading system. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant postoperative improvements in VAS and ODI scores, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. Radiological outcomes, including restoration of DH and SLA, were slightly better in the banana-shaped cage group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Straight cages were more often placed anteriorly, whereas banana-shaped cages tended to occupy the midlateral position. Fusion rates were comparable (100% vs. 94.1%, p>0.05), and subsidence occurred in 23.5% of cases in both groups. Conclusion Despite differences in cage positioning, banana-shaped and straight cages yielded comparable clinical and radiological outcomes in BE-TLIF. Either cage type can be effectively utilized in BE-TLIF, providing flexibility in surgical planning, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Objective: In Viet Nam, tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys revealed that approximately 98% of individuals with pulmonary TB have TB-presumptive abnormalities on chest radiographs, while 32% have no TB symptoms. This prompted the adoption of the “Double X” strategy, which combines chest radiographs and computer-aided detection with GeneXpert testing to screen for and diagnose TB among vulnerable populations. The aim of this study was to describe demographic, clinical and radiographic characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic Double X participants and to assess multilabel radiographic abnormalities on chest radiographs, interpreted by computer-aided detection software, as a possible tool for detecting TB-presumptive abnormalities, particularly for subclinical TB. Methods: Double X participants with TB-presumptive chest radiographs and/or TB symptoms and known risks were referred for confirmatory GeneXpert testing. The demographic and clinical characteristics of all Double X participants and the subset with confirmed TB were summarized. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between participant characteristics and subclinical TB and between computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities and TB. Results: From 2020 to 2022, 96 631 participants received chest radiographs, with 67 881 (70.2%) reporting no TB symptoms. Among 1144 individuals with Xpert-confirmed TB, 51.0% were subclinical. Subclinical TB prevalence was higher in older age groups, non-smokers, those previously treated for TB and the northern region. Among 11 computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities, fibrosis was associated with higher odds of subclinical TB. Discussion: In Viet Nam, Double X community case finding detected pulmonary TB, including subclinical TB. Computer-aided detection software may have the potential to identify subclinical TB on chest radiographs by classifying multilabel radiographic abnormalities, but further research is needed.

Aims: The objective of the study was to isolate bacteriophages and conduct a comprehensive analysis of their potential against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) strains in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Methodology and results: Twelve Xoo strains were isolated from rice fields located in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Among these strains, three strains Xoo L019, L020 and L024, showed the highest disease index of bacterial blight. Four phages specific to Xoo were isolated from soil, water and leaf samples, and their morphologies were determined. In a test against 12 Xoo strains, phage L541, MLA23 or W41 could infect 10 of the 12 Xoo strains, while phage LBH01 could infect 8 of the 12 Xoo strains. The stability of the phages to pH, organic solvents, UV-A and UV-B was also evaluated. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The initial characterization of the phages indicates their potential as biocontrol agents against bacterial blight in rice. The study is one of the very first studies about Xoo phages in rice in Vietnam.