Vacuum Phenomenon

Vacuum phenomenon is the accumulation of gas in the intervertebral region. This gas image is seen as a radiolucent area in the synovial space, intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The majority of the gas is nitrogen. Intervertebral disc degeneration is often accused on etiology. The mechanism is unknown. Vacuum phenomenon can especially be seen from radiography and spine tomography in elderly patients with disc degeneration who are admitted to the emergency room because of back pain.