title: 3D printing in neurosurgery: A systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recent expansion of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology into the field of neurosurgery has prompted a widespread investigation of its utility. In this article, we review the current body of literature describing rapid prototyping techniques with applications to the practice of neurosurgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extensive and systematic search of the Compendex, Scopus, and PubMed medical databases was conducted using keywords relating to 3D printing and neurosurgery. Results were manually screened for relevance to applications within the field.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the search results, 36 articles were identified and included in this review. The articles spanned the various subspecialties of the field including cerebrovascular, neuro-oncologic, spinal, functional, and endoscopic neurosurgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that 3D printing techniques are practical and anatomically accurate methods of producing patient-specific models for surgical planning, simulation and training, tissue-engineered implants, and secondary devices. Expansion of this technology may, therefore, contribute to advancing the neurosurgical field from several standpoints.
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Randazzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Jared M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pisapia
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Nickpreet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Jayesh P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thawani
keywords: Additive manufacturing; surgical planning; surgical simulation; three-dimensional printing