Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Bell D, Sharma R, et al. Facet joint vacuum phenomenon. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 24 Jan 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-65618
Facet joint vacuum phenomenon or degenerative intrafacetal gas is a feature that can be seen on spinal imaging in facet joint arthropathy as part of degenerative spondylosis. This is a joint-specific example of the vacuum phenomenon.
Radiographic features
MRI signal characteristics are those of gas:
T1: low signal
T2: low signal
Differential diagnosis
In traumatic cases, consider
See also
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1. Lefkowitz DM, Quencer RM. Vacuum facet phenomenon: a computed tomographic sign of degenerative spondylolisthesis. (1982) Radiology. 144 (3): 562. doi:10.1148/radiology.144.3.7100472 - Pubmed
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2. Coulier B. The spectrum of vacuum phenomenon and gas in spine. (2004) JBR-BTR : organe de la Societe royale belge de radiologie (SRBR) = orgaan van de Koninklijke Belgische Vereniging voor Radiologie (KBVR). 87 (1): 9-16. Pubmed
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3. Perolat R, Kastler A, Nicot B, Pellat JM, Tahon F, Attye A, Heck O, Boubagra K, Grand S, Krainik A. Facet joint syndrome: from diagnosis to interventional management. (2018) Insights into imaging. 9 (5): 773-789. doi:10.1007/s13244-018-0638-x - Pubmed
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