Peter Constantine Liacouras PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Gerald Thomas Grant DMD, MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vincent B. Ho MD, MBA, Abstract Co-Author: In-kind support, General Electric Company

These benefits have led to better surgical outcomes of our Wounded Warriors

Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), three-dimensional reconstructions, and digital design software have aided in the evolution of custom cranial implants. Traditionally, large cranial implants were fabricated by a moulage impression of a patient’s cranium to acquire a stone model with a best estimate of the missing skull section, a wax sculpture and stone mold of the proposed implant, and heat processing of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Smaller defects would be addressed by hand sculpting material or bending metal mesh in the operating room. Both methods resulted in modification of the implants and long operating times.

3D Reconstructions and Additive Manufacturing have allowed for high spatial resolution CT and MRI scans to be manufactured into physical models. In addition, digital design software can aid in the creation of a template to be molded and manufactured from Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or aid in the creation of a custom implant to be manufactured directly on a 3D Printer from metals such as titanium.

These custom manufactured implants have many direct and indirect clinical advantages including: an enhanced pre-surgical plan/understanding, more precise borders and contours for optimized implant fit, shorter surgical times, shorter manufacturing times, and improved patient education.

Liacouras, P, Grant, G, Ho, V, Creation of Custom Cranial Implant for Wounded Warriors Using Digital Technology and Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing).  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14014364.html