SLICS — Subaxial Injury Classification & Severity Score
SLICS (Vaccaro 2007)Scores subaxial (C3–C7) cervical injuries from morphology (0–4), discoligamentous complex integrity (0–2) and neurologic status (0–3, +1 for persistent cord compression with deficit). Totals: ≤ 3 nonoperative, 4 indeterminate, ≥ 5 surgical.
Also searched as: spine · trauma · cervical · fracture · cervical spine · neck fracture
Information
Incomplete input
- Please provide: injury morphology, discoligamentous complex integrity, neurologic status.
How this tool works
The Subaxial Injury Classification and Severity Score (Vaccaro 2007, Spine Trauma Study Group) mirrors TLICS for the C3–C7 region. Morphology: no abnormality 0, compression 1 (burst adds 1 = 2), distraction 3, rotation/translation 4. Discoligamentous complex: intact 0, indeterminate 1 (isolated MRI signal change or interspinous widening), disrupted 2 (disc-space widening, facet perch or dislocation). Neurologic status: intact 0, root injury 1, complete cord injury 2, incomplete cord injury 3, plus 1 point for persistent cord compression in the setting of a deficit (maximum total 10). Management bands: ≤ 3 nonoperative, 4 indeterminate, ≥ 5 operative. Reported interobserver reliability is only fair to moderate, so the score should support rather than dictate decisions.
References
- Vaccaro AR, et al. Spine 2007;32:2365–74 (SLICS)
- Classification in Brief: SLICS (PMC)
- Radiopaedia: SLICS
Implemented from the cited published sources. Educational use only; confirm against current guidelines before clinical use.
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