Is there a difference between narrowing of the spinal canal and neurological deficits comparing Denis and Magerl classifications?
METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the current study was to evaluate the correlation between neurological deficits and the severity of narrowing of the spinal canal in patients with thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbar burst-type fractures by comparing the classifications of Denis and Magerl. From 1989 to 2005, a total of 227 patients with burst fractures following Denis' criteria were studied.


METHODS
Tertiary teaching institution.


METHODS
Computed tomographic scans of the fractured spine were analyzed to assess the narrowing of the spinal canal. Following Magerl's criteria, patients were later subdivided into two groups according to the presence of associated ligament injuries, out of which 185 patients had no such injuries and the remaining 42 patients were classified as Megerl group B.


RESULTS
Results were evaluated based on the initial neurological status of patients according to Frankel and based on the midsagittal diameter of the fractured vertebra. A significant correlation was found between the narrowing of the spinal canal and neurological deficits in both classifications, with no significant differences between either.


CONCLUSIONS
The percentage of narrowing of the spinal canal proved to be a pre-disposing factor for the severity of the neurological status in thoracolumbar and lumbar burst-type fractures according to the classifications of Denis and Magerl. The greater the bone fragment in the spinal canal, the greater will be the probability of neurological deficits in both fracture classifications, equally.
Caffaro
M F S
MF
Spine Group, Orthopedics Department, Santa Casa School of Medicine and Hospitals of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. mfscaffaro@yahoo.com.br
Avanzi
O
O
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods