Physical model from 3D ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging scan data reconstruction of lumbosacral myelomeningocele in a fetus with Chiari II malformation

Abstract

Rapid prototyping is becoming a fast-growing and valuable technique for physical models in case of congenital anomalies. Manufacturing models are generally built from three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound, computed tomography, and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan data. Physical prototype has demonstrated to be clinically of value in case of complex fetal malformations and may improve antenatal management especially in cases of craniosynostosis, orofacial clefts, and giant epignathus. In addition, it may enhance parental bonding in visually impaired parents and have didactic value in teaching program. Hereby, the first 3D physical model from 3D ultrasound and MRI scan data reconstruction of lumbosacral myelomeningocele in a third trimester fetus affected by Chiari II malformation is reported.

Antenatal Three-Dimensional Printing of Aberrant Facial Anatomy

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13] Prenatal printing of fetal surface anatomy as a social product is being explored commercially in Japan, and other groups have preliminarily examined 3D modeling of fetal imaging for characterizing the central nervous system. [14][15][16] Initial studies by Werner and colleagues have demonstrated that airway patency can be evaluated by fetal MRI and 3D modeling in cases of large cervical tumors that could cause airway compression. 7 However, this technique has not been previously used in detailing the maxillofacial anatomy of a fetus because of the relatively low resolution of the fetal MRI and fetal motion artifact.…”

3D prints from ultrasound volumes

“…who used two custom‐designed scanners, one of which was used for motion gating. Combinations of prenatal volume data from US imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have also been used. 3D printing using volume US data taken from commercially available US systems was reported only very recently.…”

“…Fetal MRI and computed tomography data have been used for rapid prototyping of didactic models of fetal malformations by multiple‐step post‐processing, including manual slice‐by‐slice segmentation and re‐assembly; however, such complex techniques may limit its widespread use. The two protocols presented in this Editorial can be used on systems that allow DICOM export or that support a printable format such as STL.…”

Three‐dimensional virtual traveling navigation and three‐dimensional printing models of a normal fetal heart using ultrasonography data

“…3‐D virtual and physical models developed using US and magnetic resonance imaging data can enhance parents' understanding of fetal morphological anomalies and potentially guide treatment strategies by multidisciplinary medical teams . 3‐D virtual traveling is a useful, noninvasive approach that can be applied to fetal bronchial assessment of fetuses with cervical teratomas and congenital diaphragmatic hernia and urinary tract in lower urinary tract obstruction cases.…”