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Updated: Jul 3, 2025
Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
Published on: December 21, 2019
Three-dimensional printing of the human lung pleural cavity model for PDT malignant mesothelioma
Dennis Sourvanos1, Hongjing Sun2, Timothy C Zhu2
1Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA; Center for Innovation and Precision Dentistry (CiPD), School of Dental Medicine, School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
Objective:
The primary aim was to investigate emerging 3D printing and optical acquisition technologies to refine and enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT) dosimetry in the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
Materials And Methods:
A rigorous digital reconstruction of the pleural lung cavity was conducted utilizing 3D printing and optical scanning methodologies. These reconstructions were systematically assessed against CT-derived data to ascertain their accuracy in representing critical anatomic features and post-resection topographical variations.
Results:
The resulting reconstructions excelled in their anatomical precision, proving instrumental translation for precise dosimetry calculations for PDT. Validation against CT data confirmed the utility of these models not only for enhancing therapeutic planning but also as critical tools for educational and calibration purposes.
Conclusion:
The research outlined a successful protocol for the precise calculation of light distribution within the complex environment of the pleural cavity, marking a substantive advance in the application of PDT for MPM. This work holds significant promise for individualizing patient care, minimizing collateral radiation exposure, and improving the overall efficiency of MPM treatments.
