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.