OBJECTIVETo conduct the preliminary positioning and qualitative research of high-frequency ultrasonic imaging atpoints (including tender points and trigger points) in neck-type cervical spondylosis and explore the relevant law so as to provide the evidence for the selection of acupuncture scheme.

METHODSThirty patients in compliance with the diagnostic criteria of neck-type cervical spondylosis were selected. The trigger points, tender points and placebo points were positioned on any of the three available oriented lines. The point-to-point high-frequency real-time dynamic ultrasonic imaging technology was used to scan and position each point and record the changes in ultrasound gradation anatomy and two-dimensional ultrasound in perimysium, two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography and blood flow. The ultrasound characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS①Regarding the changes in ultrasound gradation anatomy and two-dimensional ultrasound in perimysium, the anatomic gradation at trigger points and tender points was in the sequence as cutaneous layer, subcutaneous fat layer, shallow muscular tissue layer, deep muscular tissue layer and vertebrae. The linear high echo presented in cutaneous layer; the low echo in subcutaneous fat layer; the linear high echo in muscular fasciae; the low echo in muscular layer and the clear linear echo in its perimysium; the high echo and declined posterior echo in vertebrae. Compared with the placebo points, 93.3% of trigger points (28/30) presented enhanced or thickened perimysium echo (<0.05), and 96.7% of tender points (29/30) presented enhanced or thickened perimysium echo (<0.05). The differences were not significant between the trigger points and the tender points (>0.05). ②In the two-dimensional ultrasonography, the clear linear echo presented in perimysium, the enhanced or thickened echo in perimysium of trigger points and tender points. In the color Doppler ultrasonography, the blinking unstable dotted blood flow signal or stable short rod-like blood flow signal presented in the trigger points and tender points. ③Regarding the condition of blood flow, 56.7% of trigger points (17/30) presented Ⅱ degree of color blood flow signal and 83.3% of tender points (25/30) presented Ⅱ degree of color blood flow signal; 0% of placebo points presented Ⅱ degree of color blood flow signal. Compared with the placebo points, the differences in the rate of Ⅱ degree of color blood flow signal were significant statistically at both the trigger points and the tender points (both<0.05). The difference was not significant between the trigger points and tender points (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn the high-frequency ultrasound imaging at trigger points and tender points in neck-type cervical spondylosis, the ultrasound imaging characteristics present, which are similar between the trigger points and the tender points. The high-frequency ultrasound imaging is valuable in positioning and quantitative research ofpoints in cervical spondylosis and has a certain significance to guide treatment.