8. Doctor saves patient’s life using 3D printing
A woman with a cerebral aneurysm was saved because of state-of-the-art custom 3D printed models of her brain.
The 3D model was created from a series of X-rays that showed she had four veins with aneurysms. The model had the dilated arteries printed in to help the surgeon plan the complex procedure.
“Due to the complexity and rarity of the patient’s case we needed a 3D model that will allow us to understand exactly how we can reach the arteries in a safe way. This helps us reduce risk because we can’t imagine the problem without the 3D model,” said Abdullah Qasim, consultant and head of neurosurgery at Rashid Hospital.
The 3D model allowed for the surgeon to successfully place coils to stop the dilation that was causing the bleeding.
“Without the 3D model the surgery would have taken longer and the risk would have been higher because it would have meant conducting the surgery with limited understanding of the abnormality. The patient is recovering well, we conducted an MRI and CT scan, which found that blood was flowing normally,” said Qasim in a press release.