Forensic science international · 2026
Intradiscal vacuum phenomenon on postmortem kinetic computed tomography of the cervical spine suggests intact discoligamentous structures.
СтатьяНазвание и аннотация: Перевод в очереди
Обработка статьи · этапы, ошибки и управление
Загрузка состояния…
Ошибки и ограничения
История · было → стало
Состояние обновляется каждые 5 секунд, пока блок открыт. Процент показывается только там, где известен объём работы. Пауза останавливает продолжение этапа; текущий запрос к источнику может завершиться.
Shimbashi Shogo, Yoshimiya Motoo, Hagita Tomoaki, Tashiro Akiko, Hyodoh Hideki
Аннотация
BACKGROUND: Anterior disc space widening (ADSW), defined in this study as an autopsy-based category of cervical discoligamentous injury, is difficult to diagnose on postmortem computed tomography. The vacuum phenomenon (VP) has been debated as a trauma-related finding, and several studies have suggested that its presence may indicate ADSW. However, VP generation requires a negative-pressure environment and may not occur in structurally disrupted disc spaces.
METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 395 cases that underwent autopsy and postmortem kinetic CT of the cervical spine, including neutral and extension series. VP was defined as intervertebral gas with attenuation values below -100 HU. The prevalence of VP was analyzed in relation to cervical positioning, degeneration, and the presence or absence of ADSW.
RESULTS: The prevalence of VP increased significantly from the neutral to the extended position and was consistently higher in degenerated spines, indicating a posture-dependent, degeneration-related phenomenon. In contrast, no clear positive association with ADSW was observed on neutral imaging, and ADSW showed a tendency toward lower VP prevalence in the extended position and among newly appearing VP after positional change. Bayesian logistic regression analysis demonstrated a high posterior probability that the odds ratio for VP occurrence was less than 1 in the presence of ADSW.
CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that VP reflects degenerative negative-pressure states rather than traumatic disc separation. Accordingly, VP should not be regarded as a marker of traumatic injury but may serve as supportive evidence against ADSW in forensic practice, particularly when evaluated on postmortem kinetic CT.
METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 395 cases that underwent autopsy and postmortem kinetic CT of the cervical spine, including neutral and extension series. VP was defined as intervertebral gas with attenuation values below -100 HU. The prevalence of VP was analyzed in relation to cervical positioning, degeneration, and the presence or absence of ADSW.
RESULTS: The prevalence of VP increased significantly from the neutral to the extended position and was consistently higher in degenerated spines, indicating a posture-dependent, degeneration-related phenomenon. In contrast, no clear positive association with ADSW was observed on neutral imaging, and ADSW showed a tendency toward lower VP prevalence in the extended position and among newly appearing VP after positional change. Bayesian logistic regression analysis demonstrated a high posterior probability that the odds ratio for VP occurrence was less than 1 in the presence of ADSW.
CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that VP reflects degenerative negative-pressure states rather than traumatic disc separation. Accordingly, VP should not be regarded as a marker of traumatic injury but may serve as supportive evidence against ADSW in forensic practice, particularly when evaluated on postmortem kinetic CT.