3-D printout of a DICOM file to aid surgical planning in a 6 year old patient with a large scapular osteochondroma complicating congenital diaphyseal aclasia

Authors

  • Matthew DBS Tam
  • Stephen D Laycock
  • Duncan G Bell
  • Adrian Chojnowski

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v6i1.889

Keywords:

model, anatomy, 3D printing, rapid prototyping, segmentation, 3D modelling, image processing, DICOM, surgical planning, scapular osteochondroma, diaphyseal aclasia

Abstract

A 6 year old girl presented with a large osteochondroma arising from the scapula. Radiographs, CT and MRI were performed to assess the lesion and to determine whether the lesion could be safely resected. A model of the scapula was created by post-processing the DICOM file and using a 3-D printer. The CT images were segmented and the images were then manually edited using a graphics tablet, and then an STL-file was generated and a 3-D plaster model printed. The model allowed better anatomical understanding of the lesion and helped plan surgical management.

Author Biographies

Matthew DBS Tam

Consultant Interventional Radiologist

Stephen D Laycock

Lecturer, School of Computing Sciences

Duncan G Bell

East Anglian Universities Experimental Radiography, Modelling and 3-D Printing Group

Adrian Chojnowski

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Published

2012-01-07

Issue

Section

Technical/IT & Innovative