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临床研究
基于MAGiC与IDEAL-IQ序列的可解释机器学习模型预测腰椎间盘退变
卜青松 刘啸峰 王文娟 胡磊 朱浩雨 汪志亮 汪涛 汪玲玲 王翔

本文引用格式:卜青松, 刘啸峰, 王文娟, 等. 基于MAGiC与IDEAL-IQ序列的可解释机器学习模型预测腰椎间盘退变[J]. 磁共振成像, 2026, 17(7): 86-93. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.011.


[摘要] 目的 探讨磁共振集成(magnetic resonance image compilation, MAGiC)序列与迭代最小二乘法水脂分离(iterative decomposition of water and fat with asymmetry and least squares estimation quantitative fat imaging, IDEAL-IQ)序列的多维定量参数与腰椎间盘退变(lumbar disc degeneration, LDD)的相关性,并构建可解释机器学习模型预测腰椎间盘退变。材料与方法 前瞻性招募199例慢性腰痛志愿者,依据T2加权像Pfirrmann分级结果(>Ⅱ级定义为LDD)分为正常组(n=83)与退变组(n=116),并按7∶3比例随机划分为训练组和验证组。所有志愿者均完成常规腰椎MRI、MAGiC序列及IDEAL-IQ序列扫描。收集数据包括:基于常规T1加权像计算的椎体骨质量(vertebral bone quality, VBQ)评分,MAGiC序列获取的椎间盘T1值、T2值及质子密度(proton density, PD)值,IDEAL-IQ序列测量的平均椎体脂肪分数(average fat fraction, FFav),以及一般临床资料、实验室检查结果和身体质量指数(body mass index, BMI)。采用Spearman相关分析与logistic回归筛选与退变相关的预测因素。使用逻辑回归(logistic regression, LR)、决策树(decision tree, DT)、极端梯度提升(extreme gradient boosting, XGBoost)、支持向量机(support vector machine, SVM)、K近邻(k-nearest neighbors, KNN)及轻量梯度提升机(light gradient boosting machine, LightGBM)共六种机器学习算法构建预测模型。通过受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic, ROC)曲线及曲线下面积(area under the curve, AUC)、准确率、敏感度、特异度、F1分数、阳性预测值(positive predictive value, PPV)与阴性预测值(negative predictive value, NPV)综合评价模型性能,采用DeLong检验比较各模型AUC的差异,并利用决策曲线分析(decision curve analysis, DCA)评估临床净获益。应用夏普利加性解释(SHapley Additive exPlanations, SHAP)方法对最优模型进行可解释性分析。结果 正常组与退变组在年龄、白蛋白(albumin, ALB)、T1值、T2值、PD值、FFav值及VBQ评分上差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。椎间盘退变与年龄、FFav值及VBQ评分呈正相关(r=0.61、0.36、0.39),与ALB、T1值、T2值及PD值呈负相关(r=-0.30、-0.60、-0.70、-0.47)。在六种机器学习模型中,LightGBM表现最优,其在训练组中的AUC为0.967(95% CI:0.942~0.993),准确率91.2%,敏感度90.0%,特异度93.3%,F1分数0.922,PPV 94.7%,NPV 87.5%。DCA显示该模型在中等风险阈值范围内具有较高的临床净获益。SHAP分析进一步表明T2值、T1值及年龄是预测LDD的关键因子。结论 基于MAGiC与IDEAL-IQ序列多维定量参数构建的机器学习模型可有效预测LDD,其中LightGBM模型性能最优;SHAP方法增强了模型的可解释性,为LDD的早期识别与临床干预提供了量化工具与决策参考。
[Abstract] Objective To investigate the correlation between multidimensional quantitative parameters derived from the magnetic resonance image compilation (MAGiC) sequence and the iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation quantitative (IDEAL-IQ) sequence with lumbar disc degeneration (LDD), and to construct an interpretable machine learning model for predicting LDD.Materials and Methods A total of 199 volunteers with chronic low back pain were prospectively recruited and divided into a normal group (n = 83) and a degeneration group (n = 116) based on Pfirrmann grading (> grade Ⅱ defined as LDD) on T2-weighted images. The cohort was randomly split into training and validation sets at a 7∶3 ratio. All participants underwent conventional lumbar MRI, MAGiC, and IDEAL-IQ sequence scans. Collected data included the vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score calculated from conventional T1-weighted images, T1 relaxation time (T1), T2 relaxation time (T2), and proton density (PD) values obtained from the MAGiC sequence, the average fat fraction (FFav) measured by the IDEAL-IQ sequence, as well as general clinical information, laboratory results, and body mass index (BMI). Spearman correlation analysis and logistic regression were used to screen for degeneration-related predictors. Six machine learning algorithms [logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM)] were employed to build prediction models. Model performance was comprehensively evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), DeLong test was used to compare the differences in AUC among the models. Clinical net benefit was assessed by decision curve analysis (DCA). The optimal model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP).Results Significant differences were observed between the normal and degeneration groups in age, albumin (ALB), T1, T2, PD, FFav, and VBQ scores (P < 0.05). Disc degeneration showed positive correlations with age, FFav, and VBQ score (r = 0.61, 0.36, 0.39), and negative correlations with ALB, T1, T2, and PD values (r = -0.30, -0.60, -0.70, -0.47). Among the six machine learning models, LightGBM performed best, achieving an AUC of 0.967 (95% CI: 0.942 to 0.993) in the training set, with accuracy of 91.2%, sensitivity of 90.0%, specificity of 93.3%, F1-score of 0.922, PPV of 94.7%, and NPV of 87.5%. DCA indicated a high clinical net benefit within the medium-risk threshold range. SHAP analysis further revealed that T2, T1, and age were the key predictors of LDD.Conclusions Machine learning models built on multidimensional quantitative parameters from MAGiC and IDEAL-IQ sequences can effectively predict LDD, with the LightGBM model demonstrating the best performance. The SHAP method enhances model interpretability, providing a quantitative tool and decision-making reference for early identification and clinical intervention of LDD.
[关键词] 腰椎间盘退变;机器学习;Pfirrmann分级;磁共振成像;定量磁共振成像
[Keywords] lumbar disc degeneration;machine learning;Pfirrmann grade;magnetic resonance imaging;quantitative magnetic resonance imaging

卜青松    刘啸峰 *   王文娟    胡磊    朱浩雨    汪志亮    汪涛    汪玲玲    王翔   

皖南医科大学附属池州医院医学影像科,池州 247000

通信作者:刘啸峰,E-mail: lxf6364@sina.com

作者贡献声明::卜青松参与选题及设计,获取、分析及解释本研究的数据,起草和撰写稿件,获得了池州市2023年度社会发展领域科技攻关项目资助;刘啸峰参与选题及设计,分析及解释本研究的数据,对稿件重要内容进行了修改;王文娟,胡磊,朱浩雨,汪志亮,汪涛,汪玲玲,王翔获取、分析及解释本研究的数据,对稿件重要内容进行了修改;全体作者都同意发表最后的修改稿,同意对本研究的所有方面负责,确保本研究的准确性和诚信。


基金项目: 池州市2023年度社会发展领域科技攻关项目 CZ23KJSFy014
收稿日期:2026-02-04
接受日期:2026-07-10
中图分类号:R445.2  R681.53 
文献标识码:A
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.011
本文引用格式:卜青松, 刘啸峰, 王文娟, 等. 基于MAGiC与IDEAL-IQ序列的可解释机器学习模型预测腰椎间盘退变[J]. 磁共振成像, 2026, 17(7): 86-93. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.011.

0 引言

       腰椎间盘退变是导致腰痛的主要原因之一,其病理过程复杂,涉及水分丢失、蛋白聚糖降解及炎症激活等多种机制,最终可导致椎间盘力学功能下降及相关结构性改变[1]。然而,传统影像学手段在早期、客观评估椎间盘退变方面仍存在局限。目前临床广泛采用的Pfirrmann分级系统基于常规MRI的形态与信号进行视觉评估[2],主观性强,对早期病理生理变化不敏感,易导致早期退变漏诊,且影像表现与临床症状之间常缺乏明确关联[3, 4, 5]。定量MRI技术为此提供了新路径。磁共振集成(magnetic resonance image compilation, MAGiC)序列可单次扫描同步获取T1值、T2值及质子密度(proton density, PD)定量图谱,能够客观反映椎间盘的病理生理状态;而IDEAL-IQ技术则可精准量化椎体脂肪分数,为评估椎体与椎间盘相互作用提供了新的生物标志物。尽管这些技术已被证实与椎间盘退变相关[6, 7, 8, 9, 10],但现有研究多集中于单一参数分析,缺乏对多维度参数的整合探讨,各参数之间的相对重要性及相互作用尚不明确。近年来,机器学习技术在处理复杂数据、构建预测模型方面展现出强大潜力,但其“黑箱”特性也限制了模型的临床可解释性与实际应用[11]。可解释人工智能方法[如夏普利加性解释(SHapley Additive exPlanations, SHAP)]通过量化特征贡献并提供局部解释,能够直观展示模型中各变量的影响程度,从而增强结果的可解释性,成为连接模型性能与临床接受度的重要桥梁[12, 13]。因此,本研究旨在联合MAGiC序列的T1、T2、PD值和IDEAL-IQ序列的脂肪分数等多维定量参数,系统分析其与腰椎间盘退变之间的相关性。通过构建可解释的机器学习模型,并利用SHAP方法解释关键预测因子,为理解椎间盘退变机制、实现早期诊断与个体化干预提供科学依据。

1 材料与方法

1.1 一般资料

       前瞻性招募2023年5月至2025年10月期间199名慢性腰痛志愿者,均接受腰椎常规MRI、MAGiC及迭代最小二乘法水脂分离(iterative decomposition of water and fat with asymmetry and least squares estimation quantitative fat imaging, IDEAL-IQ)序列扫描。本研究为病例对照研究,撰写符合STROBE(Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology)报告规范。纳入标准:(1)年龄大于18岁,性别不限,反复或持续性腰痛≥3个月;(2)临床资料完整。排除标准:(1)腰椎外伤或手术史;(2)合并肿瘤骨转移、脊柱感染、脊柱侧弯(Cobb角>20°)等腰椎结构性病变;(3)严重肝肾疾病、糖尿病、先天性骨代谢异常;(4)MRI证实存在中重度腰椎椎管狭窄或椎体信号强度差异过大[14],可能影响脑脊液信号强度的测量。收集的人口统计学数据包括年龄、性别、身高、体质量、身体质量指数(body mass index, BMI)及各项实验室指标。本研究严格遵循《赫尔辛基宣言》原则,研究方案经池州市人民医院伦理委员会审查并批准(批准号:2022-KT-03),所有受试者均在充分知情的前提下签署书面同意书。

1.2 检查方法

       所有腰椎MRI检查均在GE SIGNA Architect 3.0 T(美国)磁共振设备上完成。扫描方案包括常规矢状位序列:T1 FSE(TR 507 ms,TE 7.9~31.4 ms)、T2 FRFSE(TR 2775 ms,TE 102 ms)及T2 FLEX(TR 2112 ms,TE 102 ms),层厚及层间距均为4.0 mm和1 mm,视野320 mm×320 mm,总扫描时间为4 min 23 s。定量成像序列:MAGiC(TR 4000 ms,TE 18.9 ms)与IDEAL-IQ(TR 7.4 ms,TE 1.3~5.4 ms),层厚及层间距均为4.0 mm和1 mm,视野280 mm×280 mm,扫描时间分别为4 min 32 s和34 s。经后处理生成T1-mapping、T2-mapping、PD-mapping及FatFrac四组定量图谱。

1.3 评估与测量

1.3.1 腰椎间盘Pfirrmann分级

       Pfirrmann分级系统是广泛应用于MRI评估腰椎间盘退变的综合评分体系[15]。该分级主要依据椎间盘结构形态、信号强度、椎间盘高度及髓核与纤维环的区分程度进行评估。由于L4/5节段是腰椎间盘退变常见部位,因此本研究选取该节段进行分析。由2名具有8年以上脊柱影像诊断经验的主治医师采用盲法在T2加权矢状位图像上独立完成评估。鉴于Pfirrmann Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级在组织学上仅表现为轻度基质变化,MRI上髓核与纤维环分界清晰,信号强度无明显下降,临床意义有限,因此本研究将Pfirrmann分级>Ⅱ级定义为腰椎间盘退变(lumbar disc degeneration, LDD)[16]

1.3.2 椎体骨质量评分

       采用EHRESMAN等[17]提出的椎体骨质量评分方法,由上述两名相同医师采用盲法在腰椎MRI矢状位T1加权像上分别于L1~L4椎体松质骨及L3水平脑脊液区域设置感兴趣区(region of interest, ROI),避开骨皮质、脑脊液流动伪影及神经结构,测量其平均信号强度(图1A)。椎体骨质量(vertebral bone quality, VBQ)评分=(L1~L4椎体平均信号强度)/(L3水平脑脊液平均信号强度)。

图1  男,35岁,慢性腰痛志愿者。1A:常规T1WI图像;1B:MAGiC T2WI图像;1C:T1-mapping图谱;1D:T2-mapping图谱;1E:PD-mapping图谱;1F:FF图谱。在常规T1WI图上勾画ROI,测量L1~L4椎体及L3平面脑脊液SI,测量L4/5椎间盘T1、T2、PD值;在FF图上勾画ROI,测量L4、L5椎体FF值。MAGiC:MRI集成;PD:质子密度;FF:脂肪分数;ROI:感兴趣区;SI:信号强度。
Fig. 1  Male, 35 years old, chronic low back pain volunteer. 1A: conventional T1WI; 1B: MAGiC T2WI; 1C: T1-mapping; 1D: T2-mapping; 1E: PD-mapping; 1F: FF map. ROI is outlined in the conventional T1WI map, measurement of SI in the L1-L4 vertebral and L3 plane cerebrospinal fluid; measurement of L4/5 intervertebral disc T1, T2, PD values; ROI is outlined in the FF map, measure the FF values of the L4/5 vertebral disc. MAGiC: magnetic resonance image compilation; PD: proton density; FF: fat fraction; ROI: region of interest; SI:signal intensity.

1.3.3 T1值、T2值、PD值及平均椎体脂肪分数测量

       在MAGiC序列后处理生成的T2WI、T1-mapping、T2-mapping及PD-mapping定量图谱上,由上述2位医师采用盲法在T2WI矢状位图像上手动勾画L4/5椎间盘髓核中心ROI,避开纤维环、终板及伪影干扰,由软件自动获取T1值、T2值及PD值(图1B)。同步在IDEAL-IQ序列脂肪分数图上,于L4、L5椎体松质骨区手动勾画ROI,避开皮质骨、静脉丛及局灶脂肪区域,将其均值记为平均椎体脂肪分数(average fat fraction, FFav)(图1F)。

1.3.4 观察者间一致性分析

       为评估Pfirrmann分级、T1值、T2值、PD值、FFav值及VBQ评分的可靠性,由上述两名相同医师采用盲法独立完成所有测量与评估,每名医师使用相同方法在相同层面分别测量3次,取均值用于后续分析。采用组内相关系数(intra-class correlation coefficient, ICC)评估一致性,其中Pfirrmann分级采用Kappa系数进行分析。ICC≥0.75及 Kappa≥0.75视为一致性良好。

1.4 SHAP可解释性分析

       SHAP是一种基于博弈论的可解释性分析方法,旨在解析机器学习模型的预测机制。该方法通过量化各特征对模型输出的边际贡献,为每个预测变量赋予SHAP值,从而在全局与局部两个层面提供直观的特征重要性评估。SHAP分析不仅能够识别影响模型决策的关键预测因子,还可揭示个体样本的预测依据,显著增强机器学习模型在临床应用中的透明度与可信度。

1.5 模型构建与评估

       采用六种机器学习算法,包括逻辑回归(logistic regression, LR)、决策树(decision tree, DT)、极端梯度提升(extreme gradient boosting, XGBoost)、支持向量机(support vector machine, SVM)、K近邻(k-nearest neighbors, KNN)和轻量梯度提升机(light gradient boosting machine, LightGBM)构建腰椎间盘退变预测模型。单因素logistic回归筛选出的变量被纳入模型。将队列按7∶3比例随机划分为训练组与验证组。为解决训练组类别不平衡问题,采用合成少数类过采样技术(synthetic minority over-sampling technique, SMOTE)进行过采样。通过5折交叉验证及L1正则化确保模型泛化能力与稳健性。预测模型性能评估指标包括曲线下面积(area under the curve, AUC)、准确率、敏感度、特异度、F1分数、阳性预测值(positive predictive value, PPV)、阴性预测值(negative predictive value, NPV)及决策曲线分析(decision curve analysis, DCA)。

1.6 统计学方法

       采用SPSS 27.0及R 4.2.0软件进行统计学分析,使用“glm”包完成logistic回归建模,“pROC”包绘制受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic, ROC)曲线,“caret”包进行机器学习模型的训练与验证。连续变量经正态性检验,符合正态分布者以(x¯±s)表示,组间比较采用独立样本t检验;非正态分布数据以MQ1,Q3)表示,组间比较采用Mann-Whitney U检验。分类变量以百分比(%)表示,组间比较采用χ2检验或Fisher确切概率法。变量间的相关性采用Spearman秩相关分析,并计算方差膨胀因子(variance inflation factor, VIF)进行共线性诊断,以VIF<5为无显著共线性的标准。通过单因素logistic回归筛选潜在预测变量(P<0.05),将筛选出的变量纳入多因素logistic回归分析,采用向后法确定腰椎间盘退变的独立影响因素。采用DeLong检验比较不同模型间AUC的差异,以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。

2 结果

2.1 患者特征

       本研究共纳入199例慢性腰痛患者,包括正常组83例(41.7%),退变组116例(58.3%)。按7∶3的比例随机划分为训练组(n=139)与验证组(n=60),两组之间各变量无显著差异(P均>0.05,表1)。评估及测量结果的观察者间可靠性良好:Pfirrmann分级(Kappa=0.894)、T1值(ICC=0.912)、T2值(ICC=0.924)、PD值(ICC=0.941)、FFav值(ICC=0.922)和VBQ评分(ICC=0.937)。

表1  临床与人口统计学特征
Tab. 1  Clinical and demographic characteristics

2.2 预测变量选择

       Spearman相关分析表明,腰椎间盘退变与多个因素显著相关。年龄(r=0.61)、FFav值(r=0.36)及VBQ评分(r=0.39)与腰椎间盘退变呈正相关;白蛋白(albumin, ALB)(r=-0.30)、T1值(r=-0.60)、T2值(r=-0.70)及PD值(r=-0.47)与腰椎间盘退变呈负相关(图2)。共线性诊断显示,年龄(VIF=2.72)、ALB(VIF=1.41)、T1值(VIF=2.45)、T2值(VIF=2.62)、PD值(VIF=1.68)、FFav值(VIF=1.93)、VBQ评分(VIF=1.76)均无显著共线性(VIF<5)。单因素logistic回归分析显示,年龄、ALB、T1值、T2值、PD值、FFav值及VBQ评分是影响腰椎间盘退变的显著因素(P<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析表明,年龄、T1值及T2值是腰椎间盘退变的独立影响因素(表2)。

图2  变量间斯皮尔曼相关性分析。右侧和下方的颜色条指示了相关系数的大小与方向:蓝色代表正相关,红色代表负相关;圆点越大、颜色越深,表明相关程度越强。矩阵内部的数值标注了具体的相关系数(保留两位小数)。图中显示,LDD与年龄、FFav、VBQ呈正相关,与ALB、T1、T2、PD呈负相关。LDD:腰椎间盘退变;FFav:平均椎体脂肪分数;VBQ:椎体骨质量;ALB:白蛋白;PD:质子密度;BMI:身体质量指数;TC:总胆固醇;TG:甘油三酯;UA:尿酸;LDL:低密度脂蛋白;HDL:高密度脂蛋白。
Fig. 2  Spearman correlation analysis between variables. The matrix illustrates pairwise linear correlations between variables. The color bar on the right and bottom indicates the magnitude and direction of the correlation coefficients: blue represents positive correlation, red represents negative correlation; larger dots and darker colors indicate stronger correlations. The numerical values inside the matrix are the specific correlation coefficients (rounded to two decimal places). The figure shows that LDD is positively correlated with age, FFav, and VBQ, and negatively correlated with ALB, T1, T2, and PD. LDD: lumbar disc degeneration; FFav: average fat fraction; VBQ: vertebral bone quality; ALB: albumin; PD: proton density; BMI: body mass index; TC: total cholesterol; TG: triglyceride; UA: uric acid; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; HDL: high-density lipoprotein.
表2  腰椎间盘退变影响因素的逻辑回归分析
Tab. 2  Logistic regression analysis of influencing factors for lumbar disc degeneration

2.3 模型性能比较

       本研究构建了六种机器学习模型预测腰椎间盘退变。训练集中,LightGBM的AUC最高,其后依次为XGBoost、SVM、LR、KNN和DT;验证集中,LightGBM的AUC略低于XGBoost,但高于其他模型(表3图3)。DeLong检验显示,训练集中LightGBM的AUC显著高于DT、KNN和LR(P均<0.05),与SVM及XGBoost的差异无统计学意义;验证集中LightGBM的AUC显著高于DT和KNN(P均<0.05),与LR、XGBoost及SVM的差异均无统计学意义。在其他关键指标上,LightGBM仍表现优异:训练集中准确率、特异度、PPV等指标均较高;验证集中特异度与PPV也保持稳健。DCA(图4)显示,LightGBM在中等风险阈值范围内具有最高的临床净获益。综合AUC、准确率、特异度、PPV及临床净获益等多项指标,LightGBM在本研究六种模型中综合性能最优,具备良好的泛化能力和临床实用性。

图3  六种预测模型的ROC曲线。3A:训练集的ROC曲线;3B:验证集的ROC曲线。LR:逻辑回归;DT:决策树;XGBoost:极端梯度提升;SVM:支持向量机;KNN:K近邻;LightGBM:轻量梯度提升机。
Fig. 3  Comparison of ROC curves among the six prediction models. 3A: ROC curves of the training set. 3B: ROC curves of the validation set. LR: logistic regression; DT: decision tree; XGBoost: extreme gradient boosting; SVM: support vector machine; KNN: k-nearest neighbors; LightGBM: light gradient boosting machine.
图4  六种预测模型的DCA曲线。4A:训练集DCA曲线分析;4B:验证集DCA曲线分析。DT:决策树;KNN:K近邻;LightGBM:轻量梯度提升机;LR:逻辑回归;SVM:支持向量机;XGBoost:极端梯度提升。
Fig. 4  Analysis of DCA curves of the six prediction models. 4A: DCA curves of the training set. 4B: DCA curves of the validation set. DT: decision tree; KNN: k-nearest neighbors; LightGBM: light gradient boosting machine; LR: logistic regression; SVM: support vector machine; XGBoost: extreme gradient boosting.
表3  六种模型在训练组和验证组上的表现
Tab. 3  Performance of the six models on the training and validation sets

2.4 可解释性分析

       应用SHAP算法对最优模型(LightGBM)的预测机制进行解释,明确各变量在决策中的贡献程度。变量重要性排序(图5A)显示,T2值的影响最大,其次为T1值、年龄、FFav值、PD值及VBQ值。SHAP蜂群图(图5B)进一步揭示了各变量与退变风险的方向关系:SHAP值正负分别表示增加或降低风险,特征值高低以颜色梯度(高为黄、低为紫)表示。结果显示,T2与T1值越低,其SHAP值越偏向正方向,即显著增加预测为退变的风险;此外,年龄、FFav值也对预测结果具有显著影响。SHAP瀑布图(图5C)提供了单样本的局部解释,揭示了影响该预测结果的关键特征及其具体贡献。该图以基准预测值E[fx)]为起点,展示各特征对最终预测值fx)的推动方向与强度。其中,黄色箭头表示增加风险,红色箭头表示降低风险,箭头长度代表影响程度,越长则影响越大。T1值与T2值对预测结果呈正向贡献,而FFav值、年龄及VBQ值等则呈负向贡献。

图5  最优模型LightGBM的SHAP分析。5A:全局特征重要性排序图,展示各特征对模型输出的平均影响程度;5B:SHAP 蜂群图,反映特征取值高低与预测风险方向的关系;5C:单个样本的SHAP 瀑布图,展示该样本中各特征对最终预测结果的贡献方向与大小,黄色箭头表示正向贡献(增加退变风险),红色箭头表示负向贡献(降低退变风险)
Fig. 5  SHAP analysis of the optimal LightGBM model. 5A: Global feature importance ranking plot, showing the average impact of each feature on the model output. 5B: SHAP beeswarm plot, illustrating the relationship between feature values and the direction of prediction risk. 5C: SHAP waterfall plot for a single sample, demonstrating the contribution direction and magnitude of each feature to the final prediction; Yellow arrows indicate positive contributions (increasing degeneration risk), and red arrows indicate negative contributions (decreasing degeneration risk).

3 讨论

       椎间盘退变是腰椎退行性疾病发生与发展的重要影响因素[18]。本研究基于MAGiC与IDEAL-IQ序列的多维定量参数,构建了六种机器学习模型用于预测LDD。结果表明,LightGBM模型表现最佳,展现出稳定且出色的诊断性能。SHAP分析进一步识别出T2值、T1值、年龄及脂肪分数是预测LDD的重要特征。

3.1 退变机制与定量影像基础

       年龄是椎间盘退变的关键因素之一,本研究中退变组年龄中位数显著高于正常组(P<0.001),与退变呈强正相关(r=0.61),且为独立危险因素(P<0.05),与既往研究一致[19]。LDD的发生涉及多种机制,主要包括营养供应减少、局部微环境失衡、炎症因子浸润以及机械负荷改变等[20]。椎间盘的营养供给主要通过以下两条途径实现:(1)纤维环通路,即纤维环表面的血管为其外层提供营养;(2)终板通路,即椎体血管经骨髓腔-血窦-终板界面扩散,为髓核及纤维环内层提供营养。目前普遍认为终板通路是椎间盘最主要的营养来源[21, 22]。当椎间盘发生退变时,其原有的动脉供血逐渐退化,营养维持转而更加依赖于椎体终板的代谢途径,该过程包含合成与分解代谢两种机制。长期来看,椎间盘内合成与分解代谢失衡会导致蛋白聚糖降解与水分流失,从而诱发或加剧LDD。T2弛豫时间对椎间盘水分子与胶原纤维相互作用敏感。正常髓核中蛋白聚糖束缚结合水,T2值较高。退变早期蛋白聚糖降解致结合水减少,T2值下降。随着退变进展,纤维环撕裂、胶原定向性丧失,T2值进一步降低。因此,T2值能够捕捉从基质水合状态到结构破坏的全过程,这是其成为最强预测因子的病理生理基础[10, 23, 24]。同时蛋白聚糖减少与水分丢失也直接引起T1及PD值降低,与本研究结果吻合。

3.2 VBQ异常加速退变的病理机制

       VBQ评分是一种基于MRI T1加权像估算骨密度的新方法[17],VBQ值越高,提示骨量越低。本研究中退变组VBQ评分显著高于正常组(P<0.001),提示骨量降低与椎间盘退变密切相关。椎体骨质疏松可引发终板骨重塑异常。既往研究[25]表明,该异常表现为一个动态过程:短期内可见终板孔隙率增加、空洞及缺损增多;长期则表现为孔隙逐渐消失、缺损区域被填充,最终导致终板广泛钙化。ZHONG等[26]进一步发现,在严重骨质疏松晚期,终板广泛钙化会超出血管代偿能力,导致血管逐渐减少乃至消失。这种钙化最终会阻碍营养物质向椎间盘的运输与扩散,从而诱发LDD。同时,骨质疏松状态下骨代谢稳态被破坏[27],局部微骨吸收可扰乱生物力学平衡,可能导致节段稳定性下降、加速椎间盘脱水,并引起胶原蛋白与蛋白聚糖比例发生退行性改变,共同促使椎间盘退变。因此,VBQ值越高(骨量越低),往往提示病理性骨质增生。总体而言,椎体骨量下降可能通过破坏腰椎生物力学平衡、损害椎间盘营养吸收,从而加速椎间盘退变进程。

3.3 骨髓脂肪分数作为潜在生物标志物的价值

       本研究还发现,基于IDEAL-IQ技术测得的脂肪分数与椎间盘退变程度呈中等正相关(r=0.36)。退变组的FFav值显著高于正常组(P<0.001)。单因素logistic回归分析也证实FFav值是LDD的危险因素(P<0.001)。这一结果与既往研究结论一致[28, 29]。其机制可能与以下因素有关:首先,腰椎骨髓脂肪细胞的代谢活动可改变椎间盘局部微环境,进而影响细胞外基质的合成与降解平衡[30, 31];其次,椎间盘营养主要依赖于终板的弥散作用,骨髓脂肪含量的变化可能干扰终板血管分布与功能[1, 32],从而阻碍营养物质向椎间盘的输送,加速退变进程。此外,椎体骨髓脂肪分数升高常伴随骨矿物质密度降低,导致椎体承重能力下降、椎间盘应力分布异常,长期可能进一步加剧退变[33, 34]。因此,明确骨髓脂肪分数与椎间盘退变之间的关联,有助于在形态学改变尚不明显的早期阶段识别退变风险,为早期干预与预后评估提供依据。JI等[35]的研究同样证实了椎间盘退变与相邻椎体骨髓脂肪含量之间的显著相关性。值得注意的是,本研究中骨髓脂肪含量与年龄呈强相关(r=0.51),这与骨髓脂肪在增龄性脊柱变化中的作用相符[36]。上述结果提示,骨髓脂肪有望成为反映脊柱年龄相关变化及退行性病变的潜在生物标志物。

3.4 模型构建可解释性分析及未来自动化应用

       近年来,机器学习凭借其强大的数据处理与模式识别能力,为分析复杂多变量关系提供了新途径。然而,类不平衡、模型偏差、过拟合及泛化能力不足等问题,也给构建有效的机器学习模型带来了挑战。其中,过拟合会损害模型在新数据上的预测准确性。为此,本研究采用特征选择减少冗余特征的影响,并应用SMOTE算法缓解类不平衡[37]。同时,通过5折交叉验证结合L1正则化来抑制过拟合。在此基础上,利用训练组与验证组开发了六种机器学习模型(LR、DT、XGBoost、SVM、KNN、LightGBM)用于预测LDD。综合性能评估表明,LightGBM模型的预测效能最高,展现出优异的诊断性能与稳定性。为增强模型的可解释性,本研究进一步采用SHAP方法对LightGBM的预测结果进行分析。SHAP通过量化各变量对预测结果的贡献,使临床医生能够直观理解模型的决策依据,从而提升其临床应用价值。分析识别出T2值、T1值、年龄及脂肪分数等与LDD预测密切相关的关键变量。此外,为评估模型的临床效用,研究进行了DCA。结果显示,LightGBM在较广泛阈值范围内具有显著的临床净获益,其稳健的预测性能不仅有助于减少不必要的临床干预,也为患者管理和早期精准干预提供了可靠的决策支持。尽管本研究构建的模型展现出优异的预测性能和临床适用性,但数据采集与分析仍主要依赖人工测量,这在一定程度上限制了其在大规模研究中的应用效率。近年来,人工智能与深度学习技术在腰椎退变研究领域取得了重要进展[38, 39]。SHEN等[40]研究证实,基于人工智能的脊柱分析系统(如SpineExplorer)能够自动、高效且可靠地获取腰椎旁肌肉、椎间盘及椎管的定量数据,显著提高了分析的一致性与可重复性。随着相关技术的持续发展,人工智能与机器学习方法有望实现对椎间盘退变的早期识别及疾病进展的预测,从而为脊柱疾病的个体化诊疗提供精准指导,推动早期诊断与干预的发展。

3.5 研究局限性

       本研究亦存在若干局限性。首先,所采用的Pfirrmann分级系统依赖视觉评估,可能存在主观偏倚。其次,研究仅聚焦于髓核区域,未纳入前后纤维环的分析,可能引入选择偏倚。第三,样本量相对有限,未来需扩大样本以增强结论的普适性。第四,本研究仅选取退变好发节段L4/5椎间盘进行分析,以简化模型、保证数据一致性。然而,不同腰椎节段的生物力学环境与退变模式可能存在差异,后续尚需开展多节段研究,以评估模型的普适性与节段特异性。此外,目前的数据处理依赖于人工分割,制约了方法在大规模研究中的应用效率。后续研究可引入基于深度学习的自动分割工具,以提升分析效率与测量精度,推动该模型向更广泛的临床应用转化。

4 结论

       本研究基于MAGiC与IDEAL-IQ序列的多维定量影像参数,构建并比较了六种预测腰椎间盘退行性病变的机器学习模型。其中LightGBM模型在各项评估中均表现最佳,显示出稳定而优异的诊断性能。SHAP可解释性分析进一步识别出T2值、T1值、年龄及脂肪分数为预测LDD的关键特征,其作用机制与椎间盘退变的病理生理过程相符。未来可通过扩大样本量、拓展椎间盘研究区域、开展多节段椎间盘研究、引入自动分割工具及开展多中心验证,进一步提升模型的稳健性与泛化能力,从而推动腰椎退行性病变的个体化干预与精准医疗实践。

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