Cervical Spine Trauma
A 42-year-old motorcyclist presents after a high-speed accident. He has central cord syndrome with weakness of upper more than lower extremities (ASIA D). CT reveals a C5-C6 facet fracture-dislocation with unilateral perched facet. MRI shows ligamentous disruption of the posterior ligamentous complex, disc herniation at C5-C6, and cord signal change. Regarding the Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC) system:
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SLIC scores three components: morphology (0-4 points), discoligamentous complex (DLC) integrity (0-2...
Morphology scoring: compression = 1, burst = 2, distraction (facet perch, hyperextension) = 3, rotat...
DLC disruption is best assessed on CT scan; intact DLC scores 2 points; MRI is unnecessary for SLIC ...
Neurological status scoring: intact = 0, root injury = 1, complete cord injury = 2, incomplete cord ...
For this case: morphology = 3-4 (distraction/rotation with perched facet), DLC = 2 (disrupted on MRI...
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