Jayesh P Thawani1,2, Nickpreet Singh1,3, Jared M Pisapia1,3, Kalil G Abdullah2, Drew Parker3, Bryan A Pukenas1,4, Eric L Zager1, Ragini Verma3, Steven Brem1. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. Section of Biomedical Image Analysis, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4. Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGGs) represent several pathological entities that infiltrate and invade cortical and subcortical structures in the brain. OBJECTIVE: To describe methods for rapid prototyping of DLGGs and surgically relevant anatomy. METHODS: Using high-definition imaging data and rapid prototyping technologies, we were able to generate 3 patient DLGGs to scale and represent the associated white matter tracts in 3 dimensions using advanced diffusion tensor imaging techniques. RESULTS: This report represents a novel application of 3-dimensional (3-D) printing in neurosurgery and a means to model individualized tumors in 3-D space with respect to subcortical white matter tract anatomy. Faculty and resident evaluations of this technology were favorable at our institution. CONCLUSION: Developing an understanding of the anatomic relationships existing within individuals is fundamental to successful neurosurgical therapy. Imaging-based rapid prototyping may improve on our ability to plan for and treat complex neuro-oncologic pathology.
BACKGROUND: Diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGGs) represent several pathological entities that infiltrate and invade cortical and subcortical structures in the brain. OBJECTIVE: To describe methods for rapid prototyping of DLGGs and surgically relevant anatomy. METHODS: Using high-definition imaging data and rapid prototyping technologies, we were able to generate 3 patient DLGGs to scale and represent the associated white matter tracts in 3 dimensions using advanced diffusion tensor imaging techniques. RESULTS: This report represents a novel application of 3-dimensional (3-D) printing in neurosurgery and a means to model individualized tumors in 3-D space with respect to subcortical white matter tract anatomy. Faculty and resident evaluations of this technology were favorable at our institution. CONCLUSION: Developing an understanding of the anatomic relationships existing within individuals is fundamental to successful neurosurgical therapy. Imaging-based rapid prototyping may improve on our ability to plan for and treat complex neuro-oncologic pathology.