A3 Burst fracture of single endplate

Type A3 is a burst fracture involving a single endplate (superior or inferior) with involvement of the posterior vertebral wall.

A-type injuries are in general a failure of anterior structures under compression with intact tension band.

Caution: If this fracture is seen at the cervicothoracic junction, it is likely that this is part of a type B or type C injury.

CT/radiograph images are examined to determine the fracture type.

This CT show a sagittal reconstruction of an
C7 burst A3 fracture.

For a complete classification (AOSpine Cervical classification) of the injury, and for the management decisions, the following aspects must be considered.

1. Neurology
2. Facet injury
3. Clinical modifiers