High frequency ultrasound imaging characteristics of patients with nuchal ligament degeneration and their association with cervical spine degeneration

WANG Boran; QIAO Chunmei; LI Chunge; ZHAO Zifu; WANG Xiaolei

doi:10.20258/j.cnki.1006-9011.2025.04.007

Abstract：Objective To observe the characteristics of high frequency ultrasound images in patients with nuchal ligament degeneration and to explore the relationship between high frequency ultrasound images and cervical spondylosis in patients with nuchal ligament degeneration.Methods A retrospective collection of medical records from 85 patients with cervical ligament degeneration was conducted.They were divided into an occurrence group(n=34)and a non-occurrence group(n=51)based on whether they had cervical spondylosis.The high frequency ultrasound signs and parameters detected during the diagnosis of pa-tients with ligament degeneration were compared between the group with and without ligament degeneration.Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between high frequency ultrasound images of patients with ligament degeneration and the occurrence of cervical spondylosis.Results High frequency ultrasound examination showed that among 85 patients with ligament degeneration,there were 54 cases(63.53%)of increased echo,31 cases(36.47%)of disappearance of triangular shape,5 cases(5.88%)of distortion or deviation from the midline,24 cases(28.24%)of calcification,36 cases(42.35%)of membrane thickening,and 42 cases(49.41%)of local fibrous tissue hyperplasia.The proportion of calcification signs in the oc-currence group was significantly higher than that in the non-occurrence group,the change rate of cross-sectional area in segmentⅠ was lower than that in the non-occurrence group,and the change rate of cross-sectional area in segment Ⅲ was higher than that in the non-occurrence group,with statistical significant differences(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant differ-ence in other signs or parameters such as increased echo,distortion,or deviation from the midline between groups(P>0.05).The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that calcification,rate of change in cross-sectional area of segment Ⅰ,and rate of change in cross-sectional area of segment Ⅲ were related to the occurrence of cervical spondylosis in patients with nuchal ligament degeneration(P<0.05).Conclusion High frequency ultrasound examination shows that patients with nuchal ligament degeneration often exhibit specific signs such as triangular disappearance,increased echogenicity,calcification,and thickening of the membranous region.Among them,calcification signs and the rate of cross-sectional area changes in segments Ⅰ and Ⅲare related to the occurrence of cervical spondylosis.