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 |