Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vertebral vacuum phenomenon

A radiographic manifestation of metastatic malignancy

  • Articles
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Gas lucency within intervertebral disc spaces, the vertebral vacuum phenomenon (VVP) was visible radiographically in 12/42 (28%) women with adenocarcinoma of the breast metastatic to bone. In 7/12 (17%) the VVP occurred adjacent to vertebra involved with metastatic tumor and free of significant degenerative changes. Vertebral collapse occurred in all seven women, but was minimal in some when the VVP was prominent. Metastatic malignancy should be considered along with degenerative disease when the VVP is observed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Deeb, Z., Frayha, R.A.: Multiple vacuum dises, an early sign of ochronosis. J. Rheumatol. 3, 82 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ford, L.T., Gilula, L.A., Murphy, W.A., Gado, M.: Analysis of gas in vacuum lumbar disc. Am. J. Roentgenol. 128, 1056 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Forrester, D.M., Nesson, J.W.: The radiology of joint disease. p 427–429, Philadelphia: Saunders 1973

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gershon-Cohen, J., Schraer, H., Sklaroff, D.M., Blumberg, N.: Dissolution of the intervertebral disk in the aged normal. Radiology 62, 383 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Knutsson, F.: The vacuum phenomenon in the intervertebral discs. Acta Radiol. 23, 173 (1942)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Magnusson, W.: Über die Bedingungen des Hervortretens der wirklichen Gelenkspalte auf dem Röntgenbilde. Acta Radiol. 18, 733 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Meredith, H.C., Rittenberg, G.M.: Pneumoarthropathy. An unusual radiographic sign of gram negative septic arthritis. Radiology 128, 642 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Raines, J.R.: Intervertebral disc fissures (vacuum intervertebral disc). Am. J. Roentgenol. 70, 964 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Reymond, R.D., Wheeler, P.S., Peroric, M., Block, B.: The lucent cleft. A new radiographic sign of cervical disc injury or disease. Clin. Radiol. 23, 188 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Rubin, E.L.: The delineation of articular cartilage by X-rays without the aid of contrast media. Br. J. Radiol. 12, 649 (1939)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Thomas, S.F., Williams, O.L.: High altitude joint pains (Bends) Their roentgenographic aspects. Radiology 44, 259 (1945)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, 29403, Charleston, SC, USA

    Stephen I. Schabel M.D., Timothy E. Moore M.B., Ch.B., M.R.A.C.R., Gerald M. Rittenberg M.D., John H. Stanley M.D. & Leighton H. Javid M.D.

Authors
  1. Stephen I. Schabel M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Timothy E. Moore M.B., Ch.B., M.R.A.C.R.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gerald M. Rittenberg M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. John H. Stanley M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Leighton H. Javid M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schabel, S.I., Moore, T.E., Rittenberg, G.M. et al. Vertebral vacuum phenomenon. Skeletal Radiol. 4, 154–156 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364095

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364095

Key words

Search

Navigation