title: Evaluation of TLICS for thoracolumbar fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TILCS), facilitates the communication between physicians, and guides to treatment decision with better outcome. A composite injury severity score is calculated from these characteristics stratifying patients into operative and non-operative treatment. Aim of this study is to identify the effectiveness of TLICS scoring for thoracolumbar vertebral fractures without neurological deficits and the efficacy of conservative treatment in patients with TILCS 4.
  
  
  METHODS
  58 patients with thoracolumbar fracture were included. 38 patients with TLICS 1-3 (group A) and 20 patients with TLICS 4 (group B) treated conservatively, were evaluated with traditional two-plain radiographic examination, CT-scan and MRI. The pain and functional scales were used in the clinical evaluation. Local kyphosis angle, sagittal index and height loss percentage were measured in the radiologic evaluation. Mean follow-up period was 28 months. Post-fracture and follow-up values were compared. Functional scores and clinical outcomes of the groups were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean pain (1 = worse pain, reverse-VAS) and functional scores at the final follow-up were 8.2 and 86 points, respectively (group A), 6.4 and 76 points (group B). The mean period for returning to work was 3.2 (group A) and 3.8 months (group B). Comparing the two groups did not demonstrate any statistical difference of their clinical and functional outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study's results demonstrate that conservative treatment for TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fractures can be safely applied. The conservative treatment of cases scoring TLICS 4 is equally effective to those scoring ≤3.
authors: 3rd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, Nikis 2, Kifisia, 14561, Athens, Greece.
authors: Spiros G
authors: SG
authors: Pneumaticos
authors: 3rd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, Nikis 2, Kifisia, 14561, Athens, Greece. karapana@yahoo.com.
authors: Panagiotis K
authors: PK
authors: Karampinas
authors: 3rd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, Nikis 2, Kifisia, 14561, Athens, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Triantafilopoulos
authors: 3rd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, Nikis 2, Kifisia, 14561, Athens, Greece.
authors: Spiros
authors: S
authors: Koufos
authors: 3rd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, Nikis 2, Kifisia, 14561, Athens, Greece.
authors: Vasilios
authors: V
authors: Polyzois
authors: 3rd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, Nikis 2, Kifisia, 14561, Athens, Greece.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Vlamis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Conservative treatment; Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score; Thoracolumbar injury