slics_spine_score: Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System (SLICS)

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System (SLICS)

Description

Calculates the SLICS score to guide the management (operative vs. non-operative) of subaxial cervical spine injuries (C3-C7). The score is based on three main categories: injury morphology, discoligamentous complex (DLC) integrity, and neurological status.

Usage

slics_spine_score(morphology, dlc_status, neurologic_status,
                  continuous_compression = 0)

Arguments

morphology	String. The morphology of the injury. Options: "no_abnormality": 0 pts. "compression": 1 pt. "burst": 2 pts. "distraction": 3 pts (e.g., facet perch, hyperextension). "translation_rotation": 4 pts (e.g., facet dislocation, unstable teardrop).
dlc_status	String. Status of the Discoligamentous Complex (DLC). Options: "intact": 0 pts. "indeterminate": 1 pt (e.g., isolated interspinous widening, MRI signal change only). "disrupted": 2 pts (e.g., facet perch/dislocation, wide separation).
neurologic_status	String. Neurological status of the patient. Options: "intact": 0 pts. "root_injury": 1 pt. "complete_cord": 2 pts. "incomplete_cord": 3 pts.
continuous_compression	Numeric (0 or 1). Is there continuous cord compression in the setting of a neurologic deficit? (1 = Yes, +1 point).

Value

A list containing:

SLICS_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-10+).
Management_Recommendation	Clinical guidance based on the score (Non-Operative < 4, Indeterminate = 4, Operative > 4).

References

Vaccaro AR, Hulbert RJ, Patel AA, et al. The subaxial cervical spine injury classification system: a novel approach to recognize the importance of morphology, neurology, and integrity of the disco-ligamentous complex. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007;32(21):2365-2374. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181557b92

Examples

# Example 1: Non-Operative
# Burst fracture (2), Intact DLC (0), Intact Neuro (0)
# Score = 2
slics_spine_score("burst", "intact", "intact")

# Example 2: Operative
# Distraction (3), Disrupted DLC (2), Incomplete Cord (3)
# Score = 8
slics_spine_score("distraction", "disrupted", "incomplete_cord")

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.