Terufumi Ito

Computed tomographic findings of vacuum phenomenon in cervical intervertebral disks

A gaseous collection in the intervertebral space, or the vacuum phenomenon, was observed on computed tomograms in as many as 30% of the patients with cervical disk disease. The condition most frequently occurred at the level of C5-6. The gas tended to accumulate more often at the marginal region of the intervertebral disks, the level at which marked degeneration was seen; thus, it may be related to cracks within not only the nucleus pulposus, but also in the annulus fibrosus.

Catheter cervical vertebral venography

Cervical vertebral venography using catheterization via the femoral vein was carried out in 78 cases. In disc disease the internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) are interrupted at single or multiple levels, and sometimes completely blocked. In ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, the IVVP are separated bilaterally and interrupted at multiple levels due to centrally situated ossification and associated osteophytes. Venography helps to determine the upper and lower limits of laminectomy, and the necessary sites of facetectomy. The IVVP in the thoracic region were clearly opacified in 86% of 37 normal selective azygograms.