Vacuum phenomena involving the intervertebral discs is usually a result of an accumulation of gas, principally nitrogen, within the crevices of the intervertebral discs or adjacent vertebrae. This is a joint-specific example of the vacuum phenomenon.
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Epidemiology
It is a relatively common occurrence which can be observed in 1-3% of spinal radiographs and may even reach a prevalence of 20% in elderly individuals 5.
Clinical presentation
This phenomenon is asymptomatic.
Pathology
This commonly occurs in association with intervertebral disc degenerative disease.
However, the presence of gas does not categorically imply merely degenerative disc disease, as other processes can lead to discs containing gas. Examples of other conditions with gas include:
Schmorl node formation
all causes of vertebral body collapse, e.g. osteonecrosis (Kümmell disease) 2
Treatment and prognosis
No management is generally necessary.
Complications
There are occasional reports of nerve root compression associated with herniated intradiscal gas, known as pneumatic nerve root compression 6.
History and etymology
Magnusson first described the intervertebral disc vacuum phenomenon in 1937 5.
Differential diagnosis
gas collection associated with a non-united vertebral fracture 7
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