Table of Contents
Landells Atlas Fractures Classification
Type I
Atlas fractures involving a single arch (31–45% of C1 fractures).
Isolated anterior or posterior arch fracture. A plough fracture is an isolated anterior arch fracture caused by a force driving the odontoid through the anterior arch. Treat with hard cervical collar.
Type II
Burst fracture (37–51 %): the classic Jefferson fracture.
Type III
Unilateral lateral mass fractures of the atlas (13–37%)
Stability determined by integrity of transverse ligament 1).
1)
Landells CD, Van Peteghem PK. Fractures of the atlas: classification, treatment and morbidity. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1988 May;13(5):450-2. doi: 10.1097/00007632-198805000-00002. PMID: 3187689.