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. The results suggest that biomodelling has significant utility in skull base tumour surgery and is a cost-effective technology. Biomodels were found to be particularly effective for surgical simulation and the production of customised cranioplastic implants for reconstruction after tumour resection. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.