Gehweiler classification of atlas fractures

Last revised by Abenezer Zinaye on 23 Aug 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Hacking C, Zinaye A, Bell D, Gehweiler classification of atlas fractures. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-86947

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-86947

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/86947?iframe=true

rID:

86947

Article created:

16 Feb 2021, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Last revised:

23 Aug 2022, Abenezer Zinaye

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Abenezer Zinaye had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Abenezer Zinaye's current disclosures

Revisions:

8 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Trauma, Spine, Musculoskeletal

Synonyms:

Gehweiler's classification of atlas fractures
Gehweiler classification (atlas fractures)

The Gehweiler classification of atlas fractures described 5 types of fractures of the atlas. In addition, Dickman classified injuries of the transverse atlantal ligament (a.k.a. transverse band of the cruciform ligament) which has been incorporated into this classification system.

type 1: fractures of the anterior arch
type 2: fractures of the posterior arch and are usually bilateral
type 3: fractures involving the anterior and posterior arch (Jefferson burst fracture)
- type 3a: intact transverse atlantal ligament
- type 3b: disrupted transverse atlantal ligament complex
  - Dickman type 1: ligamentous disruption
  - Dickman type 2: bony avulsion with an intact transverse atlantal ligament
type 4: fractures of the lateral mass
type 5: isolated fractures of the C1 transverse process