Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
03:40
Three-Dimensional Printing of a Complex Aortic Anomaly
Published on: November 1, 2018
7.2K
Modelling of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection through 3D printing.
Daniel Ho1, Andrew Squelch2,3, Zhonghua Sun1
1Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences
|January 31, 2017
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) printing accurately replicates complex aortic aneurysm and dissection anatomy from CT scans. Minor variances in vessel diameter measurements suggest further refinement for optimal accuracy in 3D model reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Anatomical Modeling
Background:
- Complex aortic pathologies like aneurysm and dissection present challenges in anatomical visualization.
- Traditional imaging methods may not fully capture intricate 3D vascular structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of 3D printed models in replicating patient-specific thoracic aorta anatomy.
- To assess the fidelity of 3D models derived from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans for complex aortic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Post-processing of contrast-enhanced cardiac CT scans from two patients.
- Creation of 3D printed thoracic aorta models representing aneurysm and dissection.
- Measurement of transverse vessel diameters and luminal dimensions at specific anatomical landmarks for comparison.
Main Results:
- Successful generation of 3D printed models with accurate replication of aortic structures and pathologies.
- Mean difference in transverse vessel diameter between CT and 3D printed models was approximately 1.0-1.2 mm (SD: 0.9-1.0 mm).
- Mean luminal diameter difference for the dissection model was 0.5 mm.
Conclusions:
- 3D printed models show promising accuracy in depicting aortic aneurysm and dissection.
- Further research is needed to refine 3D model reproduction techniques and ensure accuracy within a 1 mm tolerance.
