Geometric and volumetric relationship between human lumbar vertebrae and "Black-bone" MRI-based models.

Background: This study will examine the differences between human lumbar vertebrae, three-dimensional (3D) scans of these bones, 3D models based on 'Black-bone' magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and 3D-printed models.

Materials And Methods: 3D mesh models were created from the "Black-bone" MRI data from two cadaveric human spines, and then 3D printed. Four models were analysed and compared: anatomic bones, 3D-scanned models, MRI models and 3D-printed models.

Results: There was no significant difference between when comparing the average of all measurements between all model types (p = 0.81). The mean dice coefficient was 0.91 (SD 0.016) and the mean Hausdorff distance was 0.37 mm (SD 0.04 mm) when comparing the MRI model to the 3D-scanned model. The mean volumes for the MRI model and the 3D scanned model were 10.42 and 10.04 ml (p = 0.085), respectively.

Conclusions: The 'Black-bone' MRI could be a valid radiation-free alternative to computed tomography for the 3D printing of lumbar spinal biomodels.