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Virtual Surgical Planning for Musculoskeletal Oncology

Virtual Surgical Planning for Musculoskeletal Oncology 150 150 Abbie Miller

CT of pelvis showing tumor

MRI of pelvis showing tumor

Step 1: Data acquisition: Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance images (MRI) are obtained during the same visit with markers used to help align the scans to create the composite image. That composite is used to develop the virtual model.

Step 2: The 3D Printing and Innovations Lab maps out the anatomy and tumor location, resulting in the 3D virtual models. Based on the virtual model, surgeons plan the surgical margins and reconstruction. In the images above, the blue shows unaffected bone. The large gray mass is the tumor. The surgical margin is shown in magenta.

Step 3: The 3D model is print in house, using different colors and textures to show cutting margins, tumors and tissues. The image above shows unaffected bone in white, while the tumor and cutting margins are in pink. The texture of the materials shows the difference between the colored bone and tumor that will be resected.

Step 4: The 3D models are used to educate families, trainees and the surgical team before, during and after the procedure.

Step 5: Quality assurance: After the procedure, the resected tumor and postoperative scans are compared against the models to assess accuracy.

Read ``From Scan to Plan: Making Virtual Surgical Planning the Standard of Care for Ortho-oncology Operations``
Scapula 3D Printed Model
The blue shows the part to be resected. The custom 3D printed cutting jig helps surgeons remove affected area.
3D Model of Pelvis
Colors highlight tumor (pink) and affected bone (gray).
3D Printed Model
Tumor shown in pink. This model highlights how far the tumor has invaded into the bone.
3D Printed Model
Tumor shown in pink.
3D Printed Model
Clear shows area to be resected, pink shows the tumor.
3D Model of Ulna Resection
3D Model of Ulna Reconstruction
This model shows the graft from the fibula in dark blue and the resected portion of the ulna.

Image credits: Nationwide Children’s

About the author

Abbie (Roth) Miller, MWC, is a passionate communicator of science. As the manager, medical and science content, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, she shares stories about innovative research and discovery with audiences ranging from parents to preeminent researchers and leaders. Before coming to Nationwide Children’s, Abbie used her communication skills to engage audiences with a wide variety of science topics. She is a Medical Writer Certified®, credentialed by the American Medical Writers Association.

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