Table 1.

Different classification system together with the treatment choice for each score

SLIC system
Morphology	No abnormality Compression Burst Distraction Translation/Rotation	0 1 2 3 4	1 to 3 points: non-surgical management; 4 points: surgical or non-surgical management based on patient condition and surgeon preferences; 5 or more points: surgical management (realignment, stabilization ± decompression)[10–13]
DLC	Intact Indeterminate Disrupted	0 1 2
Neurological status	Intact Nerve root injury Complete cord injury Incomplete cord injury Continuous cord compression + neurological deficit	0 1 2 3  + 1
Canadian C-spine rule (GCS 15)
Age > 65 years		1	< 1: no radiographic evaluation  ≥ 1: cervical-spine radiography
Dangerous mechanism		1
Paraesthesias in extremities		1
No safe assessment of range of motion		1
Unable to rotate the neck (45° left and right)		1
NEXUS Criteria (GCS 15)
Posterior midline cervical-spine tenderness		1	< 1: no radiographic evaluation  ≥ 1: cervical-spine radiography
Evidence of intoxication		1
Normal level of alertness		1
Focal neurologic deficit		1
Painful distracting injuries		1

Congress of neurological surgeons recommendation
Awake and asymptomatic not complaining of neck pain or tenderness, with a normal neurological examination and a complete functional range of motion at a physical examination	Radiographic evaluation of the cervical spine is not recommended and discontinuance of cervical immobilization is possible (Level I recommendation) [26]
Awake and symptomatic	High-quality computed tomography (CT) imaging is recommended If high-quality CT imaging is not available, 3 CS projections (anteroposterior, lateral, and odontoid) are recommended. Moreover, if necessary to defineor better visualize suspicious areas, a CT is recommended, as soon as available (Level I recommendation) [26]
Obtunded or unevaluable	High-quality CT imaging is recommended as the initial imaging technique of choice. If high-quality CT imaging is not available, 3 CS projections (anteroposterior, lateral, and odontoid) are recommended. Moreover, if necessary to define or better visualize suspicious areas, a CT is recommended, as soon as available (Level I recommendation) [26]