Advanced "tactile" medical imaging for separation surgeries of conjoined twins.
BACKGROUND
Understanding the anatomy of conjoined twins is difficult because of the rarity of this congenital malformation and the scarcity of reported cases in medical literature.


METHODS
Advances in radiologic imaging, computer modeling, and sophisticated manufacturing techniques enable medical imaging datasets to be translated into accurate, solid, life-size models. These models, which can be designed to include various combinations of anatomical features revealed by established imaging modalities, are important for pre-surgical assessments and planning, as well as for reference during the actual operative procedure. In addition, they provide a valuable basis for communication between the groups of specialists who are involved in these cases.


METHODS
This article will describe the advances in technology behind this process and illustrate its value in two cases of craniopagus twins.
Christensen
Andrew M
AM
Medical Modeling LLC, 17301 West Colfax Avenue, Suite 300, Golden, CO, USA. andy@medicalmodeling.com
Humphries
Stephen M
SM
Goh
Keith Y C
KY
Swift
Dale
D
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*