Magerl classification of thoracolumbar spinal fractures (historical)
Updates to Article Attributes
The Magerl classification, one of many thoracolumbar spinal fracture classification systems, was was adopted as the original AO classification in 1994 but has since then been superseded: see the current AO classification classification of thoracolumbar injuries.
Usage
Although the Magerl classification is based on the three-column concept by Denis and and the McAfee classification it it has largely been superseded by more modern classification systems (particularly the current AO classification of thoracolumbar injuries and and the thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score) whereas the terminology introduced by Denis and McAfee continue to be used in everyday clinical practice.
Classification
The Magerl classification relies exclusively on CT findings.
A: compression injuries
-
A1: impaction fractures
-
A1.1:
endplateendplate impaction -
A1.2:
wedgewedge impaction - A1.3: vertebral body collapse
-
A1.1:
-
A2: split fractures
- A2.1: frontal split fracture
- A2.2: sagittal split fracture
- A2.3: pincer fracture
-
A3: burst fractures
- A3.1: incomplete burst fracture
- A3.2: burst split fracture
-
A3.3: complete burst fracture
- A3.3.1: pincer
- A3.3.2: flexion
- A3.3.3: axial
B: distraction injuries
-
B1: predominantly transligamentous flexion-distraction injury
-
B1.1: with transverse disc disruption
- B1.1.1: flexion subluxation
- B1.1.2: anterior dislocation
- B1.1.3: B1.1.1 or B1.1.2 the with fractures of the articular processes
- B1.2: with type A vertebral body fracture
-
B1.1: with transverse disc disruption
-
B2:
predominantlypredominantly osseous flexion-distraction injury- B2.1: transverse bi column fracture
-
B2.2: posterior osseous disruption with transverse disc disruption
-
B2.2.1:
throughthrough the pedicles -
B2.2.2:
throughthrough the interarticular portions (flexion spondylolysis)
-
B2.2.1:
-
B2.3:with type A vertebral body fracture
-
B2.3.1:
throughthrough the pedicles -
B2.3.2:
throughthrough the isthmus
-
B2.3.1:
-
B3:
anterioranterior disruption through the disc- B3.1:hyperextension-subluxation
- B3.2:hyperextension-spondylolysis
- B3.3:posterior dislocation
C: torsion injuries
-
C1: rotation-compression injury
- C1.1:impaction
- C1.2:split
- C1.3:burst
-
C2:rotation-distraction injury
- C2.1:with transligamentous flexion-distraction
- C2.2:with transosseous flexion-distraction
- C2.3:with hyperextension-distraction
- C3:rotational shear injury
-<p>The<strong> Magerl classification</strong>, one of many <a href="/articles/thoracolumbar-spinal-fracture-classification-systems">thoracolumbar spinal fracture classification systems</a>, was adopted as the original AO classification in 1994 but has since then been superseded: see the current <a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries">AO</a><a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries"> classification of thoracolumbar injuries</a>.</p><h4>Usage</h4><p>Although the Magerl classification is based on the <a href="/articles/three-column-concept-of-spinal-fractures">three-column concept by Denis</a> and the <a href="/articles/mcafee-classification-of-thoracolumbar-spinal-fractures">McAfee classification</a> it has largely been superseded by more modern classification systems (particularly the current <a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries">AO</a><a href="/articles/ao-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries"> classification of thoracolumbar injuries</a> and the <a href="/articles/thoracolumbar-injury-classification-and-severity-score-tlics-1">thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score</a>) whereas the terminology introduced by Denis and McAfee continue to be used in everyday clinical practice. </p><h4>Classification</h4><p>The Magerl classification relies exclusively on CT findings.</p><h5>A: compression injuries</h5><ul>- +<p>The<strong> Magerl classification</strong>, one of many <a href="/articles/thoracolumbar-spinal-fracture-classification-systems">thoracolumbar spinal fracture classification systems</a>, was adopted as the original AO classification in 1994 but has since then been superseded: see the current <a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries-1">AO</a><a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries"> classification of thoracolumbar injuries</a>.</p><h4>Usage</h4><p>Although the Magerl classification is based on the <a href="/articles/three-column-concept-of-spinal-fractures">three-column concept by Denis</a> and the <a href="/articles/mcafee-classification-of-thoracolumbar-spinal-fractures">McAfee classification</a> it has largely been superseded by more modern classification systems (particularly the current <a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries">AO</a><a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries-1"> classification of thoracolumbar injuries</a> and the <a href="/articles/thoracolumbar-injury-classification-and-severity-score-tlics-1">thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score</a>) whereas the terminology introduced by Denis and McAfee continue to be used in everyday clinical practice. </p><h4>Classification</h4><p>The Magerl classification relies exclusively on CT findings.</p><h5>A: compression injuries</h5><ul>
-<strong>A1.1:</strong> endplate impaction</li>- +<strong>A1.1:</strong> endplate impaction</li>
-<strong>A1.2:</strong> wedge impaction</li>- +<strong>A1.2:</strong> wedge impaction</li>
-<strong>B2:</strong> predominantly osseous flexion-distraction injury<ul>- +<strong>B2:</strong> predominantly osseous flexion-distraction injury<ul>
-<strong>B2.2.1:</strong> through the pedicles</li>- +<strong>B2.2.1:</strong> through the pedicles</li>
-<strong>B2.2.2:</strong> through the interarticular portions (flexion spondylolysis)</li>- +<strong>B2.2.2:</strong> through the interarticular portions (flexion spondylolysis)</li>
-<strong>B2.3: </strong>with type A vertebral body fracture<ul>- +<strong>B2.3: </strong>with type A vertebral body fracture<ul>
-<strong>B2.3.1:</strong> through the pedicles</li>- +<strong>B2.3.1:</strong> through the pedicles</li>
-<strong>B2.3.2:</strong> through the isthmus</li>- +<strong>B2.3.2:</strong> through the isthmus</li>
-<strong>B3:</strong> anterior disruption through the disc<ul>- +<strong>B3:</strong> anterior disruption through the disc<ul>
-<strong>B3.1: </strong>hyperextension-subluxation</li>- +<strong>B3.1: </strong>hyperextension-subluxation</li>
-<strong>B3.2: </strong>hyperextension-spondylolysis</li>- +<strong>B3.2: </strong>hyperextension-spondylolysis</li>
-<strong>B3.3: </strong>posterior dislocation</li>- +<strong>B3.3: </strong>posterior dislocation</li>
-<strong>C1.1: </strong>impaction</li>- +<strong>C1.1: </strong>impaction</li>
-<strong>C1.2: </strong>split</li>- +<strong>C1.2: </strong>split</li>
-<strong>C1.3: </strong>burst</li>- +<strong>C1.3: </strong>burst</li>
-<strong>C2: </strong>rotation-distraction injury<ul>- +<strong>C2: </strong>rotation-distraction injury<ul>
-<strong>C2.1: </strong>with transligamentous flexion-distraction</li>- +<strong>C2.1: </strong>with transligamentous flexion-distraction</li>
-<strong>C2.2: </strong>with transosseous flexion-distraction</li>- +<strong>C2.2: </strong>with transosseous flexion-distraction</li>
-<strong>C2.3: </strong>with hyperextension-distraction</li>- +<strong>C2.3: </strong>with hyperextension-distraction</li>
-<strong>C3: </strong>rotational shear injury</li>- +<strong>C3: </strong>rotational shear injury</li>