Twelve-year Follow-up Post-Thoracic Endovascular Repair in Type B Aortic Dissection Shown by Three-dimensional Printing

Clinical situations for which 3D Printing is considered an appropriate representation or extension of data contained in a medical imaging examination: vascular conditions

BACKGROUND

Medical three-dimensional (3D) printing has demonstrated utility and value in anatomic models for vascular conditions. A writing group composed of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Special Interest Group on 3D Printing (3DPSIG) provides appropriateness recommendations for vascular 3D printing indications.

METHODS

A structured literature search was conducted to identify all relevant articles using 3D printing technology associated with vascular indications. Each study was vetted by the authors and strength of evidence was assessed according to published appropriateness ratings.

RESULTS

Evidence-based recommendations for when 3D printing is appropriate are provided for the following areas: aneurysm, dissection, extremity vascular disease, other arterial diseases, acute venous thromboembolic disease, venous disorders, lymphedema, congenital vascular malformations, vascular trauma, vascular tumors, visceral vasculature for surgical planning, dialysis access, vascular research/development and modeling, and other vasculopathy. Recommendations are provided in accordance with strength of evidence of publications corresponding to each vascular condition combined with expert opinion from members of the 3DPSIG.

CONCLUSION

This consensus appropriateness ratings document, created by the members of the 3DPSIG, provides an updated reference for clinical standards of 3D printing for the care of patients with vascular conditions.

Use of Three-dimensional Printing in the Development of Optimal Cardiac CT Scanning Protocols

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is increasingly used in medical applications with most of the studies focusing on its applications in medical education and training, pre-surgical planning and simulation, and doctor-patient communication. An emerging area of utilising 3D printed models lies in the development of cardiac computed tomography (CT) protocols for visualisation and detection of cardiovascular disease. Specifically, 3D printed heart and cardiovascular models have shown potential value in the evaluation of coronary plaques and coronary stents, aortic diseases and detection of pulmonary embolism. This review article provides an overview of the clinical value of 3D printed models in these areas with regard to the development of optimal CT scanning protocols for both diagnostic evaluation of cardiovascular disease and reduction of radiation dose. The expected outcomes are to encourage further research towards this direction.

3D printing and thoracoscopy assisted MIPO in treatment of long-range comminuted rib fractures, a case report

Background

To investigate the application of 3D printing technology combined with percutaneous Minimally Invasive Plate Oseoynthesis (MIPO) and thoracoscopic techniques in the treatment of long comminuted rib fractures.

Case presentation

One case of multiple rib fractures with abnormal respiratory disease (including rib 3 and 4 of long comminuted fractures) due to a fall injury was selected. The 3D model of comminuted rib fracture was reconstructed and printed according to the thin-layer CT scan results. After the fracture model was restored to the normal rib anatomy, the metal plate was accurately shaped according to the 3D rib shape.

Conclusions

3D printing technology combined with MIPO technology under thoracoscopy in the minimally invasive treatment of long-range comminuted rib fractures, greatly reduced the time and improved the accuracy of intraoperative fixation, reduced the difficulty of surgery, patient injury, and perfectly reconstructed the chest wall. Application of the 3D printing technique to make the rib model and pre-mold the metal plate combined the thoracoscopic MIPO technology provides less invasive and accurate individualized treatment for complex rib fractures.