Three-Dimensional Handheld Scanning to Quantify Head-Shape Changes in Spring-Assisted Surgery for Sagittal
Maik Tenhagen1, Jan L Bruse, Naiara Rodriguez-Florez
1*Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children†University College London Institute of Child Health‡Erasmus Medical Centre, Maxillofacial Surgery, Rotterdam, The Netherlands§University College London Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, UK.
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
|December 23, 2016
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) handheld scanning offers a practical alternative to CT scans for evaluating spring-assisted cranioplasty outcomes. This method effectively tracks changes in head shape and volume post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) is the standard for 3D craniofacial imaging but involves radiation and anesthesia.
- 3D photographic imaging presents a radiation-free alternative for assessing outcomes in calvarial reconstructive surgery.
- Scaphocephaly correction often utilizes spring-assisted devices, requiring precise outcome evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of 3D handheld scanning photography for assessing outcomes in patients undergoing spring-assisted correction for scaphocephaly.
- To compare 3D scan measurements with traditional methods like X-rays.
- To utilize statistical shape modeling (SSM) to analyze 3D head shape changes.
Main Methods:
- Acquired pre- and postoperative 3D scans using a handheld scanner for 9 patients.
- Measured cephalic index (CI), head circumference, volume, sagittal length, and coronal width.
- Compared CI from 3D scans with planar X-ray measurements.
- Employed Statistical Shape Modeling (SSM) to analyze mean anatomical head shapes over time.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was found in Cephalic Index (CI) between 3D scans and X-rays.
- Significant increases in CI, head volume, and coronal width were observed over time.
- SSM effectively visualized 3D head shape changes resulting from spring expansion.
Conclusions:
- 3D handheld scanning is an effective and practical tool for evaluating 3D outcomes after spring-assisted cranioplasty.
- This method allows for both individual patient assessment and population-level analysis of surgical results.
- 3D scanning provides a valuable, radiation-free alternative for craniofacial outcome assessment.
