Clinical application of 3D printing technique in treatment of intracranial aneurysms

Objective To investigate the clinical application value of 3D printing technique in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Methods Eight patients with intracranial aneurysms, admitted to our hospital from May 2014 to June 2015, were chosen in our study; three dimensional reconstructions of anatomical models were accomplished by computer aided technology. By rapid prototyping, the intracranial aneurysm models were manufactured, operation project were formulated and preoperative sham-operation was enforced to supervise the intracranial aneurysm clipping. The clinical data and clipping efficacy were retrospectively analyzed. Results Eight patients with 11 intracranial aneurysms at stage I were treated successfully with aneurysm clipping via unilateral craniotomy without rupture of aneurysms. Preoperative sham operation shortened the time of operation and reduced the postoperative complications. Glasgow outcome scale scores at hospital discharge indicated that good recovery was noted in 7 patients and mild disability in one. Postoperative CTA or DSA did not show residual aneurysms. Conclusions Three-dimensional printing technology can overall, intuitively, exactly display three-dimensional shape of intracranial aneurysms and spatial relation of anatomic structure. It has important role of supervising treatment of intracranial aneurysms and broad application perspective, thus deserves generalization. Key words: Three D printing technique; Intracranial aneurysm; Surgery