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Cervical spine annulus vacuum.
1Department of Radiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103.
Skeletal Radiology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Annulus vacuums, often linked to spinal degeneration, are typically found where the annulus attaches to bone. They may indicate early osteophytes or result from trauma, especially when near vertebral corners.
Area of Science:
- Spinal Imaging and Diagnostics
- Degenerative Disc Disease Research
- Vertebral Abnormalities
Background:
- Annulus vacuums are radiolucent areas within the intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus.
- Their etiology and association with vertebral abnormalities require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the location, configuration, and associated vertebral abnormalities of annulus vacuums.
- To determine the relationship between annulus vacuums and degenerative changes in the spine.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 38 annulus vacuums in 27 patients.
- Evaluation of vacuum location, configuration, and associated vertebral findings (degenerative changes, vertebral body corner abnormalities, annulus calcification).
Main Results:
- Most annulus vacuums represent a degenerative phenomenon at the annulus-bone attachment.
- Annulus vacuums are associated with degenerative changes like osteophytes and annulus calcification.
- A strong association exists between annulus vacuums and compressed anterosuperior vertebral body corners, potentially representing early osteophytes.
Conclusions:
- Annulus vacuums are primarily a degenerative finding linked to vertebral abnormalities.
- Compressed vertebral corners associated with vacuums may relate to trauma, congenital absence, or motion.
- Small annulus vacuums near normal vertebral corners may indicate acute trauma.