In 2005 the TLICS was published. It allows a rapid assessment for injuries to the thoracolumbar spine and has been validated for use in children and adolescents (10,32,35,36)..
The TLICS
Characteristic | Description | Points Assigned |
Morphology | ||
Compression | 1 | |
Burst | 2 | |
Rotation/Translation | 3 | |
Distraction | 4 | |
Disruption Posterior Ligamentous Elements | ||
Intact | 0 | |
Suspected | 2 | |
Disruption | 3 | |
Neurological Status | ||
Intact | 0 | |
Nerve root | 2 | |
Cord, conus medullaris complete | 4 | |
Cord, conus medullaris incomplete | 4 | |
Cauda Equina | 3 |
- Nonsurgical management: Recommended when the sum of all categories is 0–3.
- Surgical management: Recommended when the sum of all categories is ≥4.
- Consideration of either intervention: Necessary when the total equals 4.