Biomodelling of skull base tumours.

Stereolithographic (SL) biomodelling is a new technology that allows three-dimensional computed tomography magnetic resuance data to be used to generate solid plastic replicas of anatomical structures (biomodels). A prospective trial of 11 patients to assess the utility of SL biomodelling in skull base tumour surgery has been performed. Biomodels were manufactured and used for patient education, diagnosis and operative planning.

Custom cranioplasty using stereolithography and acrylic.

Numerous methods of cranioplasty have been described. Customization and prefabrication have been reported to reduce operating time and improve cosmesis. An original technique for the manufacture of customized cranioplastic implants has been developed and tested in 30 patients.

Cerebrovascular biomodelling: a technical note.

Background: Recently computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and MR angiography (MRA) have been used to image cerebrovascular structures. Although CTA and MRA are accurate and sensitive imaging modalities, limitations have been identified in relation to image interpretation. Stereolithographic (SL) biomodelling is a new technology that allows three-dimensional (3D) CT and MR data to be used to accurately manufacture solid plastic replicas of anatomical structures.

Stereolithographic biomodelling in cranio-maxillofacial surgery: a prospective trial.

Stereolithographic (SL) biomodelling is a new technology that allows three-dimensional (3-D) computed tomography (CT) data to be used to manufacture solid plastic replicas of anatomical structures (biomodels). A prospective trial with the objective of assessing the utility of biomodelling in complex surgery has been performed. Forty-five patients with craniofacial, maxillofacial, skull base cervical spinal pathology were selected.

Stereolithographic (SL) biomodelling in craniofacial surgery.

Background: Stereolithographic (SL) biomodelling allows 3D CT to be used to generate solid plastic replicas of anatomical structures (biomodels). Case reports in the literature suggest that such biomodels may have a use in craniofacial surgery but no large series or assessment of utility has been reported. A prospective trial to assess the utility of biomodelling in craniofacial surgery has been performed.

Accuracy of stereolithographic models of human anatomy.

A study was undertaken to determine the dimensional accuracy of anatomical replicas derived from X-ray 3D computed tomography (CT) images and produced using the rapid prototyping technique of stereolithography (SLA). A dry bone skull and geometric phantom were scanned, and replicas were produced. Distance measurements were obtained to compare the original objects and the resulting replicas.

Integration of 3-D medical imaging and rapid prototyping to create stereolithographic models.

This paper describes current research into the creation of solid models which replicate anatomical structures using rapid prototyping techniques. Stereolithography is particularly efficient in the production of highly-complex structures. This technique was applied to the fabrication of a plastic model of a human skull.