Geometric Morphological Analysis of Kager’s Fat Pad Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

目的：探究Kager’s脂肪垫(Kager’s fat pad, KFP)的几何形态与性别、侧别、年龄以及跟腱损伤有无关系。方法：回顾性分析我院150例跟腱损伤(包括急性损伤及跟腱炎、跟腱变性等慢性损伤)患者(病例组)及150例健康跟腱者(对照组)的KFP的几何形态，两组人员分别按照性别、侧别、年龄进行分组，在T1WI上测量不同组别KFP的矢状面最大面积、宽度、厚度并进行对比。结果：病例组KFP矢状面最大面积及厚度 0.05)；病例组与对照组中，男性组KFP矢状面最大宽度、厚度 > 女性组，差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)；不同侧别组KFP矢状面最大面积、宽度、厚度差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05)；40岁及以下年龄组KFP矢状面最大面积、宽度、厚度均>40岁以上年龄组，差异有统计学意义(P Objective: To investigate whether the geometric morphology of Kager’s fat pad (KFP) is associated with gender, side, age, and the presence of Achilles tendon injury. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the geometric morphology of KFP in 150 patients with Achilles tendon injuries (including acute injuries and chronic conditions such as tendinitis and tendinopathy) (case group) and 150 healthy individuals with normal Achilles tendons (control group). Both groups were stratified by gender, side, and age. On T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), the maximum sagittal area, width, and thickness of KFP were measured and compared between different groups. Results: The maximum sagittal area and thickness of KFP in the case group were significantly smaller than those in the control group (P 0.05). Within both the case and control groups, the maximum sagittal width and thickness of KFP were significantly greater in males than in females (P 0.05). There were no significant differences in the maximum sagittal area, width, or thickness of KFP between different sides (P > 0.05). The maximum sagittal area, width, and thickness of KFP were significantly greater in individuals aged 40 years or younger compared to those older than 40 years (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There are significant differences in the geometric morphology of KFP between patients with Achilles tendon injuries and those with normal tendons. The smaller maximum sagittal area and thickness in the injured group suggest that KFP morphology can reflect Achilles tendon degeneration and injury to some extent, and is associated with factors such as age and gender.