[Technique and applications of stereolithographic cranial models]

3-D-modelling of the skull is useful referring to improve diagnostics, for surgical planning and simulation of surgical procedure. Stereolithography is a constructive process producing a model by building it up layer by layer with plastic using an "ultraviolet" laser to catalyse the polymerization of a liquid plastic solution. This fast prototyping derives from using a new interface between a CT-Scanner and a SLA. By avoiding the tool path problems inherent in conventional computerdriven CNC milling machines we succeeded in producing closed cavities and even intraosseous course of vessels and nerves. The compact and smooth surface makes manual postprocessing unnecessary. By using a new software (interpolation +/- 0.25 mm) we could improve the accuracy. At our studies we found a maximum aberration of at least 0.25 mm.