Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity (TLICS) Scale

Updated: Apr 20, 2023
  • Author: Buck Christensen; Chief Editor: Buck Christensen  more...
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Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity (TLICS) Scale

The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity (TLICS) Scale is a guideline for the management of thoracolumbar injuries. [1] It is used to assess integrity of the posterior ligamentous complex, injury morphology, and neurological status of the patient. [2, 3, 4, 5]

Table 1. Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity (TLICS) Scale (Open Table in a new window)

Category

Points

Injury morphology

Compression

1 (another point added [total of 2] if burst component present)

Translation/rotation

3

Distraction

4

Posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) integrity

Intact

0

Suspected/indeterminate

2

Disrupted

3

Neurological status

Intact

0

Nerve root injury

2

Spinal cord, conus medullaris

3 if incomplete, 2 if complete

Cauda equina

3

Table 2. Interpretation of TLICS System Scoring (Open Table in a new window)

Score

Interpretation

≤3

Nonoperative treatment

4

Nonoperative or operative

≥5

Operative treatment