title: Three-Dimensional Printed Modeling of Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas and Associated White Matter Tract Anatomy.
abstract: Diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGGs) represent several pathological entities that infiltrate and invade cortical and subcortical structures in the brain.
  
  
  
  To describe methods for rapid prototyping of DLGGs and surgically relevant anatomy.
  
  
  
  Using high-definition imaging data and rapid prototyping technologies, we were able to generate 3 patient DLGGs to scale and represent the associated white matter tracts in 3 dimensions using advanced diffusion tensor imaging techniques.
  
  
  
  This report represents a novel application of 3-dimensional (3-D) printing in neurosurgery and a means to model individualized tumors in 3-D space with respect to subcortical white matter tract anatomy. Faculty and resident evaluations of this technology were favorable at our institution.
  
  
  
  Developing an understanding of the anatomic relationships existing within individuals is fundamental to successful neurosurgical therapy. Imaging-based rapid prototyping may improve on our ability to plan for and treat complex neuro-oncologic pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.|School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Jayesh P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thawani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.|Section of Biomedical Image Analysis, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Nickpreet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.|Section of Biomedical Image Analysis, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Jared M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pisapia
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Kalil G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.affiliation: Section of Biomedical Image Analysis, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Drew
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.|Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Bryan A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Pukenas
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Zager
authors.affiliation: Section of Biomedical Image Analysis, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Ragini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brem
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005910:Glioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: 3-D printing; Brain tumor modeling; Diffusion tensor imaging