Background: Phantom spine models can be useful for simulating pain medicine procedures and tutorials. However, these models were not readily available because of price and quality issues.

Methods: We created a spine phantom model by the following steps. At first, we used an abdomen-pelvic CT data of a patient for segmentation of the lumbar vertebral body, sacrum, pelvic bones and whole contour of the lower body. For segmentation of the intervertebral discs, we used lumbar MRI image of the patient. A 3D printer was used for a vertebral body and frames for intervertebral discs and body contour. Mixture of silicon, thinner and polyurethane was used for intervertebral disc and body frame was filled with polyurethane foam and covered with silicon skin. After the phantom spine model was completed, fluoroscopic guided pain medicine blocks were performed.

Results:
We could successfully perform transforaminal epidural block, medial branch block, lumbar sympathetic block using the phantom model.

Conclusion:
A phantom spine model could be made using patient’s CT and MRI images. The model might help better performance of simulation and tutorials for pain procedures.