3D Printing Applications for Radiology: An Overview.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging and Radiology
• Additive Manufacturing
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Radiological advancements in diagnosis and communication rely on digital imaging techniques like computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
• These medical images are convertible into Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) in Standard Triangulate Language (STL) file formats, compatible with 3D printing.
• Three-dimensional (3D) printing, a subset of additive manufacturing, produces physical models from digital designs, offering tangible representations of anatomical and pathological states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the potential of 3D printing technology in radiology.
• To outline the steps involved in implementing 3D printing for radiological applications.
• To identify and describe significant applications of 3D printing in the field of radiology.

Main Methods:

• Review of 3D printing technologies and their integration with medical imaging data.
• Diagrammatic representation of the workflow for 3D printing in radiology.
• Identification and description of 12 key applications of 3D printing in radiology.

Main Results:

• 3D printing enables the creation of physical models from radiological images (CT, MRI) via DICOM to STL conversion.
• The technology offers innovative solutions for clinical applications, treatment planning, procedural simulation, and medical education.
• Twelve significant applications of 3D printing in radiology were identified, demonstrating its utility in enhancing patient care, training, and communication.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing technology holds significant potential to revolutionize radiology by providing advanced tools for diagnosis, planning, and education.
• Radiologists can leverage 3D printing to address challenges in training, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary communication.
• The integration of 3D printing into radiology opens new avenues for improving patient care and outcomes through enhanced visualization and simulation.