Vacuum phenomenon

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Synonyms
Vacuum disc

The term vacuum phenomenon refers to the occurrence of gas collections within the intervertebral disc space.

Imaging

A vacuum phenomenon within the intervertebral disc space is best visualized on CT.

Vacuum phenomenon in the L4/5 intervertebral disc space
Sagittal CT in the bone window of a patient with a vacuum phenomenon in the L4/5 intervertebral disc space.

L4/5 spondylolisthesis with vacuum phenomenon on CT
Sagittal CT of the spine in a patient with L4/5 spondylolisthesis and vacuum phenomenon.

Clinical relevance

The presence of a vacuum phenomenon is typically indicative of a hypermobile spinal segment. A vacuum phenomenon is not indicative of an infection1.

References

    1. Handbook of Neurosurgery. Greenberg M, ed. 9th Edition. New York: Thieme; 2019 ↩ ↩

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