Vacuum Phenomenon in Twelve Dogs

Abstract

The clinical and imaging features of twelve dogs with vacuum phenomena are reviewed. Gas accumulations were identified as radiolucent areas within the intervertebral discs of the cervical, thoracic, and lumber spine, the joint spaces in the sternum, and the shoulder joint. The intervertebral and sternal gas accumulations were associated with other radiographic features of degeneration such as endplate sclerosis and spondylosis. Gas attributable to vacuum phenomenon has not been previously described in the sternum of animals. Abnormal radiographic positioning stresses or instability were through to be responsible for the focal gas accumulations.

Evaluation of Different Computed Tomography Techniques and Myelography for the Diagnosis of Acute Canine Myelopathy

“…Ancillary imaging findings, such as vacuum phenomenon, have been associated with intervertebral disc extrusion, intervertebral disc degeneration, articular process degenerative joint disease, synovial cyst formation, and spondylosis deformans 26−28 . In our study, vacuum phenomenon was only associated with one site of extradural spinal cord compression and was interpreted incorrectly as the site of compression on survey and angiographic CT studies in three dogs.…”

Vacuum disk and facet phenomenon in a dog with cauda equina syndrome

“…2,4 To the authors' knowledge, there are only 4 reports in the veterinary literature that describe a diagnosis of vacuum disk phenomenon by radiography and CT of the vertebral column and associate it with degenerative disk disease in dogs. [5][6][7][8] The large gas accumulation in the vertebral column in the dog of our report enabled reliable measurements of radiographic density; these ranged between -900 and -980 Hounsfield units (HU), which was close to that of air (-1000 HU) and confirmed this area was filled with gas. The fact that gas was not evident on initial survey radiographs but was evident on the subsequent CT planning view and CT images is consistent with a previous report and suggests that stretching of the vertebral column may create the negative pressure necessary to attract gas.…”

The vacuum phenomenon in intervertebral disc disease of dogs based on computed tomography images

“…More recently, the VP was described for the first time on spinal computed tomography (CT) images of three dogs (Hathcock ). A short time later, radiographically detected spinal VP was reported in 12 dogs in combination with other degenerative signs that can be associated with disc herniation such as vertebral endplate sclerosis, disc space narrowing and spondylosis deformans (Weber et al ). In addition, VP was described in a 7‐year‐old Rottweiler with a cauda equina syndrome where gas was seen on a CT scan within the lumbosacral disc as well as the facet joints of L7‐S1 (Schwarz et al ).…”

“…More recently, the VP was described for the first time on spinal computed tomography (CT) images of three dogs (Hathcock 1994). A short time later, radiographically detected spinal VP was reported in 12 dogs in combination with other degenerative signs that can be associated with disc herniation such as vertebral endplate sclerosis, disc space narrowing and spondylosis deformans (Weber et al 1995). In addition, VP was described in a ttp://www.bsava.com/ Journal of Small Animal Practice • Vol 54 • May 2013 • © 2013 British Small Animal Veterinary Association from a board certified neurologist and a mutual agreement was achieved.…”