Meyerding classification

A commonly adopted method of grading spondylolisthesis is the Meyerding classification, based on the ratio of overhanging part of the superior vertebral body] to anteroposterior length of the adjacent inferior vertebral body:

It divides the superior endplate of the vertebra below into 4 quarters. The grade depends on the location of the posteroinferior corner of the vertebra above.

grade I: 0-25%

grade II: 26-50%

grade III: 51-75%

grade IV: 76-100%

grade V (spondyloptosis): >100% ^{1) 2)}

The original Meyerding classification grading of spondylolisthesis of the cranial vertebra in relation to the lower vertebra does not seem to be valid for isthmic spondylolisthesis on MRI, since hypoplasia or shortening of the cranial, spondylolytic vertebra is not taken into account. Describing a finding as spondylolisthesis rather than spondylolysis is not only a question of taxology, but implies a more serious state of the disease. Therefore, the term “spondylolisthesis” should be reserved for patients with a real slip and not a slip mimicked by a shortened, hypoplastic vertebra ³⁾.