scholarly journals Methods of 3D printing models of pituitary tumors

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Gillett ◽  
Waiel Bashari ◽  
Russell Senanayake ◽  
Daniel Marsden ◽  
Olympia Koulouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Computer Model ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Specific Model ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Anatomical Models ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Printing Techniques

Abstract Background Pituitary adenomas can give rise to a variety of clinical disorders and surgery is often the primary treatment option. However, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) does not always reliably identify the site of an adenoma. In this setting molecular (functional) imaging (e.g. 11C-methionine PET/CT) may help with tumor localisation, although interpretation of these 2D images can be challenging. 3D printing of anatomicalal models for other indications has been shown to aid surgical planning and improve patient understanding of the planned procedure. Here, we explore the potential utility of four types of 3D printing using PET/CT and co-registered MRI for visualising pituitary adenomas. Methods A 3D patient-specific model based on a challenging clinical case was created by segmenting the pituitary gland, pituitary adenoma, carotid arteries and bone using contemporary PET/CT and MR images. The 3D anatomical models were printed using VP, MEX, MJ and PBF 3D printing methods. Different anatomicalal structures were printed in color with the exception of the PBF anatomical model where a single color was used. The anatomical models were compared against the computer model to assess printing accuracy. Three groups of clinicians (endocrinologists, neurosurgeons and ENT surgeons) assessed the anatomical models for their potential clinical utility. Results All of the printing techniques produced anatomical models which were spatially accurate, with the commercial printing techniques (MJ and PBF) and the consumer printing techniques (VP and MEX) demonstrating comparable findings (all techniques had mean spatial differences from the computer model of < 0.6 mm). The MJ, VP and MEX printing techniques yielded multicolored anatomical models, which the clinicians unanimously agreed would be preferable to use when talking to a patient; in contrast, 50%, 40% and 0% of endocrinologists, neurosurgeons and ENT surgeons respectively would consider using the PBF model. Conclusion 3D anatomical models of pituitary tumors were successfully created from PET/CT and MRI using four different 3D printing techniques. However, the expert reviewers unanimously preferred the multicolor prints. Importantly, the consumer printers performed comparably to the commercial MJ printing technique, opening the possibility that these methods can be adopted into routine clinical practice with only a modest investment.

scholarly journals Current Practice in Preoperative Virtual and Physical Simulation in Neurosurgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Mussi ◽  
Federico Mussa ◽  
Chiara Santarelli ◽  
Mirko Scagnet ◽  
Francesca Uccheddu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Physical Simulation ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Preoperative Planning ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Anatomical Models ◽  
Standard Clinical Practice

In brain tumor surgery, an appropriate and careful surgical planning process is crucial for surgeons and can determine the success or failure of the surgery. A deep comprehension of spatial relationships between tumor borders and surrounding healthy tissues enables accurate surgical planning that leads to the identification of the optimal and patient-specific surgical strategy. A physical replica of the region of interest is a valuable aid for preoperative planning and simulation, allowing the physician to directly handle the patient’s anatomy and easily study the volumes involved in the surgery. In the literature, different anatomical models, produced with 3D technologies, are reported and several methodologies were proposed. Many of them share the idea that the employment of 3D printing technologies to produce anatomical models can be introduced into standard clinical practice since 3D printing is now considered to be a mature technology. Therefore, the main aim of the paper is to take into account the literature best practices and to describe the current workflow and methodology used to standardize the pre-operative virtual and physical simulation in neurosurgery. The main aim is also to introduce these practices and standards to neurosurgeons and clinical engineers interested in learning and implementing cost-effective in-house preoperative surgical planning processes. To assess the validity of the proposed scheme, four clinical cases of preoperative planning of brain cancer surgery are reported and discussed. Our preliminary results showed that the proposed methodology can be applied effectively in the neurosurgical clinical practice both in terms of affordability and in terms of simulation realism and efficacy.

scholarly journals Beneath the Skin: Emulating human physiology using a novel bitmap-based “voxel” 3D-printing workflow.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ana Morris
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Biomedical Imaging ◽  
Human Anatomy ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Anatomical Models ◽  
Medical Communication ◽  
Medical Models ◽  
3D Printed

<p>Novel technologies that produce medical models which are synthetic equivalents to human tissue may forever change the way human anatomy and medicine are explored. Medical modelling using a bitmap-based additive manufacturing workflow offers exciting opportunities for medical education, informed consent practices, skills acquisition, pre-operative planning and surgical simulation. Moving medical data from the 2D-world to tactile, highly detailed 3D-printed anatomical models may significantly change how we comprehend the body; revamping everything – from medical education to clinical practice.  Research Problem The existing workflow for producing patient-specific anatomical models from biomedical imaging data involves image thresholding and iso-surface extraction techniques that result in surface meshes (also known as objects or parts). This process restricts shape specification to one colour and density, limiting material blending and resulting in anatomically inequivalent medical models. So, how can the use of 3D-printing go beyond static anatomical replication? Imagine pulling back the layers of tissue to reveal the complexity of a procedure, allowing a family to understand and discuss their diagnosis. Overcoming the disadvantages of static medical models could be a breakthrough in the areas of medical communication and simulation. Currently, patient specific models are either rigid or mesh-based and, therefore, are not equivalents of physiology.  Research Aim The aim of this research is to create tangible and visually compelling patient-specific prototypes of human anatomy, offering an insight into the capabilities of new bitmap-based 3D-printing technology. It proposes that full colour, multi-property, voxel-based 3D-printing can emulate physiology, creating a new format of visual and physical medical communication.  Data Collection and Procedure For this study, biomedical imaging data was converted into multi-property 3D-printed synthetic anatomy by bypassing the conversion steps of traditional segmentation. Bitmap-based 3D-printing allows for the precise control over every 14-micron material droplet or “voxel”.  Control over each voxel involves a process of sending bitmap images to a high-resolution and multi-property 3D-printer. Bitmap-based 3D-printed synthetic medical models – which mimicked the colour and density of human anatomy – were successfully produced.  Findings This research presented a novel and streamlined bitmap-based medical modelling workflow with the potential to save manufacturing time and labour cost. Moreover, this workflow produced highly accurate models with graduated densities, translucency, colour and flexion – overcoming complexities that arise due to our body’s opaqueness. The presented workflow may serve as an incentive for others to investigate bitmap-based 3D-printing workflows for different manufacturing applications.</p>

scholarly journals Creating patient-specific anatomical models for 3D printing and AR/VR: a supplement for the 2018 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) hands-on course

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Wake ◽  
Amy E. Alexander ◽  
Andy M. Christensen ◽  
Peter C. Liacouras ◽  
Maureen Schickel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Anatomical Models ◽  
Radiological Society ◽  
Hands On

scholarly journals Three-Dimensional Printing Constructs Based on the Chitosan for Tissue Regeneration: State of the Art, Developing Directions and Prospect Trends

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farnoosh Pahlevanzadeh ◽  
Rahmatollah Emadi ◽  
Ali Valiani ◽  
Mahshid Kharaziha ◽  
S. Ali Poursamar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Precise Adjustment ◽  
Developing Directions ◽  
Traditional Manufacturing ◽  
Printing Techniques

Chitosan (CS) has gained particular attention in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, antibacterial feature, and biodegradability. Hence, many studies have focused on the manufacturing of CS films, scaffolds, particulate, and inks via different production methods. Nowadays, with the possibility of the precise adjustment of porosity size and shape, fiber size, suitable interconnectivity of pores, and creation of patient-specific constructs, 3D printing has overcome the limitations of many traditional manufacturing methods. Therefore, the fabrication of 3D printed CS scaffolds can lead to promising advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. A review of additive manufacturing types, CS-based printed constructs, their usages as biomaterials, advantages, and drawbacks can open doors to optimize CS-based constructions for biomedical applications. The latest technological issues and upcoming capabilities of 3D printing with CS-based biopolymers for different applications are also discussed. This review article will act as a roadmap aiming to investigate chitosan as a new feedstock concerning various 3D printing approaches which may be employed in biomedical fields. In fact, the combination of 3D printing and CS-based biopolymers is extremely appealing particularly with regard to certain clinical purposes. Complications of 3D printing coupled with the challenges associated with materials should be recognized to help make this method feasible for wider clinical requirements. This strategy is currently gaining substantial attention in terms of several industrial biomedical products. In this review, the key 3D printing approaches along with revealing historical background are initially presented, and ultimately, the applications of different 3D printing techniques for fabricating chitosan constructs will be discussed. The recognition of essential complications and technical problems related to numerous 3D printing techniques and CS-based biopolymer choices according to clinical requirements is crucial. A comprehensive investigation will be required to encounter those challenges and to completely understand the possibilities of 3D printing in the foreseeable future.

scholarly journals Beneath the Skin: Emulating human physiology using a novel bitmap-based “voxel” 3D-printing workflow.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ana Morris
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Biomedical Imaging ◽  
Human Anatomy ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Anatomical Models ◽  
Medical Communication ◽  
Medical Models ◽  
3D Printed

<p>Novel technologies that produce medical models which are synthetic equivalents to human tissue may forever change the way human anatomy and medicine are explored. Medical modelling using a bitmap-based additive manufacturing workflow offers exciting opportunities for medical education, informed consent practices, skills acquisition, pre-operative planning and surgical simulation. Moving medical data from the 2D-world to tactile, highly detailed 3D-printed anatomical models may significantly change how we comprehend the body; revamping everything – from medical education to clinical practice.  Research Problem The existing workflow for producing patient-specific anatomical models from biomedical imaging data involves image thresholding and iso-surface extraction techniques that result in surface meshes (also known as objects or parts). This process restricts shape specification to one colour and density, limiting material blending and resulting in anatomically inequivalent medical models. So, how can the use of 3D-printing go beyond static anatomical replication? Imagine pulling back the layers of tissue to reveal the complexity of a procedure, allowing a family to understand and discuss their diagnosis. Overcoming the disadvantages of static medical models could be a breakthrough in the areas of medical communication and simulation. Currently, patient specific models are either rigid or mesh-based and, therefore, are not equivalents of physiology.  Research Aim The aim of this research is to create tangible and visually compelling patient-specific prototypes of human anatomy, offering an insight into the capabilities of new bitmap-based 3D-printing technology. It proposes that full colour, multi-property, voxel-based 3D-printing can emulate physiology, creating a new format of visual and physical medical communication.  Data Collection and Procedure For this study, biomedical imaging data was converted into multi-property 3D-printed synthetic anatomy by bypassing the conversion steps of traditional segmentation. Bitmap-based 3D-printing allows for the precise control over every 14-micron material droplet or “voxel”.  Control over each voxel involves a process of sending bitmap images to a high-resolution and multi-property 3D-printer. Bitmap-based 3D-printed synthetic medical models – which mimicked the colour and density of human anatomy – were successfully produced.  Findings This research presented a novel and streamlined bitmap-based medical modelling workflow with the potential to save manufacturing time and labour cost. Moreover, this workflow produced highly accurate models with graduated densities, translucency, colour and flexion – overcoming complexities that arise due to our body’s opaqueness. The presented workflow may serve as an incentive for others to investigate bitmap-based 3D-printing workflows for different manufacturing applications.</p>

Radiosurgery for nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P. Sheehan ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
John Flickinger ◽  
L. Dade Lunsford
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Treatment Modality ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Cavernous Sinus Invasion ◽  
Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Primary Treatment Modality

Object Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas comprise approximately 30% of all pituitary tumors. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and role of gamma knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of these lesions. Methods The authors conducted a review of cases in which GKS was performed at the University of Pittsburgh between 1987 and 2001. Forty-six patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas and with at least 6 months of follow-up data were identified. In 41 of these patients some form of prior treatment such as transsphenoidal resection, craniotomy and resection, or conventional radiation therapy had been conducted. Five patients were deemed ineligible for microsurgery, and GKS served as the primary treatment modality. Endocrinological, ophthalmological, and radiological responses were evaluated. The mean radiation dose to the margin was 16 Gy. In all patients with microadenomas and 91% of those with macroadenomas tumor control was demonstrated after radiosurgery. Gamma knife surgery had essentially equal efficacy in terms of achieving tumor control in cases of adenomas with cavernous sinus invasion and suprasellar extension. No new endocrinopathies were noted following radiosurgery. In two patients, however, tumor growth and decline in visual function occurred. Conclusions Gamma knife surgery is safe and effective in treating nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Radiosurgery may serve as a primary treatment modality in some or as a salvage treatment in others. Treatment must be tailored to meet the patient's symptoms, overall health, and tumor morphometry.

scholarly journals Current applications of 3d printing in neurosurgery

2019 ◽  
pp. 417-423
Author(s):  
A. Chiriac ◽  
A. Iencean ◽  
Georgiana Ion ◽  
G. Stan ◽  
S. Munteanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Printing Technology ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
3D Printing Technology ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Printing Techniques

Medical implications of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology have progressed with increasingly used especially in surgical fields. 3D printing techniques are practical and anatomically accurate methods of producing patient specific models for medical education, surgical planning, training and simulation, and implants production for the assessment and treatment of neurosurgical diseases. This article presents the main directions of 3D printing models application in neurosurgery.

The utility of a multimaterial 3D printed model for surgical planning of complex deformity of the skull base and craniovertebral junction

2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 1194-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donato Pacione ◽  
Omar Tanweer ◽  
Phillip Berman ◽  
David H. Harter
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Specific Model ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
2D Imaging ◽  
Printing Techniques

Utilizing advanced 3D printing techniques, a multimaterial model was created for the surgical planning of a complex deformity of the skull base and craniovertebral junction. The model contained bone anatomy as well as vasculature and the previously placed occipital cervical instrumentation. Careful evaluation allowed for a unique preoperative perspective of the craniovertebral deformity and instrumentation options. This patient-specific model was invaluable in choosing the most effective approach and correction strategy, which was not readily apparent from standard 2D imaging. Advanced 3D multimaterial printing provides a cost-effective method of presurgical planning, which can also be used for both patient and resident education.

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