Abstract： Objective: To study the relationship between nuchal ligament degeneration and cervical degeneration by combined MSCT and ultrasound. Methods: The patient group consisted 65 cases with cervical vertebral diseases, and the control group had 58 healthy individuals. Neutral position MSCT volume scanning were performed in each group. High frequency ultrasound scanning were performed in neutral position and 45° anterial extension position. The morphology, density, minimum cross section area change rate of nuchal ligament were observed and measured. The results and measurement were compared and analyzed. Results: In the patient group, 33.85% of cases had lost the normal triangular shape of the nuchal ligament, 38.46% of cases had funicular twist of the nuchal ligament, 27.69% had cord like calcification of the ligament. Compared to the control group, there were thickening of the funicular and membranous part of the Ⅰ～Ⅳ segment of the nuchal ligament with increased density in the patient group. There were significant differences between the two groups(P＜0.05). In the patient group, the mini-cross sectional area change rate of the funicular part of Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅳ segment of the nuchal ligament decreased and Ⅲ segment increased. There were significant differences between the two groups(P＜0.05). Conclusion: Degenerative changes of the nuchal ligament has close relationship with degeneration of the cervical vertebrae and diseases. Abnormal changes of the morphology, density minimum corss-sectional changes rate as well as calcification of the nuchal ligament are also degenerative appearances of the cervical vertebrae. Familiar with these imaging features is important to the diagnosis and clinical treatment.
2013, Vol. 24 
