Thoracolumbar burst fracture: radiographic evaluation on differences between Magerl's A and B.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate incidence of Magerl's A and B group in thoracolumbar burst fracture (Denis) according to independent examiners.


METHODS
According to the posterior spinous process split on the anterior posterior radiography, three independent examiners have analyzed the patients admitted from 2000 to 2009 with thoracolumbar burst fractures (according to Denis) to differentiate between Magerl's type A3 and B1.2. Statistical evaluation was descriptive and by using Kappa's method.


RESULTS
From the 72 patients, 11 patients compose the Magerl's type B group according to examiner 1; 10 according to examiner 2; and 17 according to examiner 3. Posterior lesion concordance was satisfactory (good, κ=0.7) between the examiners.


CONCLUSIONS
14 to 24% patients with thoracolumbar fractures show posterior lesion (B1.2) by using radiographic criteria. Level of evidence III, Diagnostic Studies Investigating a Diagnostic Test.
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo - FCMSCSP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Carlos Alberto Almeida
CA
de Assunção Filho
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo - FCMSCSP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Rafael Parizzi
RP
Veloso
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo - FCMSCSP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Robert
R
Meves
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo - FCMSCSP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
João Paulo
JP
Bergamaschi
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo - FCMSCSP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Maria Fernanda Silber
MF
Caffaro
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo - FCMSCSP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Osmar
O
Avanzi
Lumbar vertebrae; Spinal fractures/classification; Thoracic vertebrae