Deep-learning reconstructed lumbar spine 3D MRI for surgical planning: pedicle screw placement and geometric measurements compared to CT

To test equivalency of deep-learning 3D lumbar spine MRI with “CT-like” contrast to CT for virtual pedicle screw planning and geometric measurements in robotic-navigated spinal surgery. Between December 2021 and June 2022, 16 patients referred for spinal fusion and decompression surgery with pre-operative CT and 3D MRI were retrospectively assessed. Pedicle screws were virtually placed on lumbar (L1-L5) and sacral (S1) vertebrae by three spine surgeons, and metrics (lateral deviation, axial/sagittal angles) were collected. Vertebral body length/width (VL/VW) and pedicle height/width (PH/PW) were measured at L1-L5 by three radiologists. Analysis included equivalency testing using the 95