The Vacuum Phenomenon in the Elbow: A Case Report

Authors

Tyler J Smith, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Anthony Judice, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Salvador Forte, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michael Boniello
Matthew Kleiner
David Fuller

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2020

Abstract

CASE: A 33-year-old man presented with a closed distal humerus fracture after a fall from scaffolding. Computed tomography demonstrated intra-articular gas, despite the lack of arthrotomy, open fracture, or skin defects. The "vacuum phenomenon" (VP), or the presence of intra-articular gas in closed injuries, has primarily been described in the axial skeleton. To our knowledge, there are no reports in fractures of the elbow.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of the VP is under-reported and represents a lack of physician awareness. The VP should remain a diagnosis of exclusion; however, physicians should be aware of this phenomenon to prevent unnecessary patient harm.

Comments

This article was published in JBJS Case Connector, Volume 10, Issue 3.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.2106/jbjs.cc.20.00203.

Copyright © 2020 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.

Publication Title

JBJS Case Connector

Recommended Citation

Smith, Tyler J; Judice, Anthony; Forte, Salvador; Boniello, Michael; Kleiner, Matthew; and Fuller, David, "The Vacuum Phenomenon in the Elbow: A Case Report" (2020). Orthopedic Surgery Resident Research. 39.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/orthopedic_surgery_residents/39

PubMed ID

32910591