Three-dimensional imaging and three-dimensional printing for plastic preparation of medical interventions.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging has been available for nearly four decades and is regarded as state of the art for visualization of anatomy and pathology and for procedure planning in many clinical fields. Together with 3Dimage reconstructions in the form of rendered virtual 3Dmodels, it has helped to better perceive complex anatomic and pathologic relations, improved preprocedural measuring and sizing of implants, and nowadays enables even photorealistic quality. However, presentation on 2Ddisplays limits the 3Dexperience. Novel 3Dprinting technologies can transfer virtual anatomic models into true 3Dspace and produce both patient-specific models and medical devices constructed by computer-aided design. Individualized anatomic models hold great potential for medical and patient education, research, device development and testing, procedure training, preoperative planning, and fabrication of individualized instruments and implants. Hand in hand with 3Dimaging, medical 3Dprinting has started to revolutionize medicine in certain fields and new applications are developed and introduced regularly. The demand for medical 3Dprinting will likely continue to rise, as it is apromising tool for plastic preparation of medical interventions. However, there is ongoing debate on the appropriateness of medical 3Dprinting and further research on its efficiency is needed. As experts in 3Dimaging, radiologists are not only capable of advising on adequate imaging parameters, but should also become adept in 3Dprinting to participate in on-site 3Dprinting facilities and randomized controlled trials on the topic, thus contributing to improving patient outcomes via personalized medicine through patient-specific preparation of medical interventions.