UCSD Musculoskeletal Radiology

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MSK Classifications

Sub-axial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System (SLICS)

 

 

 

The Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC) system is a classification system for subaxial cervical spine trauma that helps determine information about injury pattern and severity, in addition to treatment considerations and prognosis.

Table 1. SLIC System

Characteristic Points
Morphology
No abnormality 0
Compression



Burst



 1



+1=2
Distraction (eg, facet perch, hyperextension) 3
Rotation/translation (eg, facet dislocation, unstable teardrop or advanced-stage flexion compression injury) 4
Discoligamentous complex (DLC)
Intact 0
Indeterminate (eg, isolated interspinous widening, MRI signal change only) 1
Disrupted (eg, widening of disk space, facet perch or dislocation) 2
Neurological status
Intact 0
Root injury 1
Complete cord injury 2
Incomplete cord injury 3
Continuous cord compression in setting of neurodeficit (Neuro Modifier) +1

Table 2. Interpretation of SLIC System Scoring

Score Interpretation
< 4 Nonoperative treatment
4 Operative versus nonoperative
≥5 Operative treatment