Use of 3D Printing Technology in the Localization of Intracranial Lesions and Craniotomy Planning

Utilização da Tecnologia de Impressão 3D na Localização de Lesões Intracranianas e Planejamento de Craniotomia

• Henrique Orefice Farah    
• Lorena Maria Dering    
• Joseph Franklin Chenisz da Silva    
• André Giacomelli Leal    

• https://doi.org/10.22290/jbnc.2025.25081428
• J Bras Neurocirur 36 (4):458-466, 2025

Resumo

Introdução: a localização precisa das lesões intracranianas é essencial na neurocirurgia moderna. Objetivo: este estudo se propõe a validar um dispositivo produzido com impressão 3D para auxiliar na identificação do ponto central de lesões cerebrais profundas e no planejamento da craniotomia. Métodos: estudos de imagem foram utilizados para segmentação e modelagem para impressão 3D, e a precisão foi comparada à neuronavegação intraoperatória. Resultados: o dispositivo mostrou erro aceitável e viabilidade clínica, especialmente em centros com recursos limitados. Conclusão: esta tecnologia demonstrou ser uma alternativa eficaz para determinar com precisão o ponto central de uma lesão e delimitar a área de craniotomia, independentemente da disponibilidade da neuronavegação ou estereotaxia.

Palavras-chave

Impressão 3D; Localização da lesão; Craniotomia; Neuronavegação; Planejamento cirúrgico; Neurocirurgia

Abstract

Introduction: accurate localization of intracranial lesions is essential in modern neurosurgery. Objective: this study proposes the validation of a device produced using 3D printing to assist in identifying the central point of deep brain lesions and in planning the craniotomy. Methods: imaging studies were used for segmentation, modeling software, and 3D printing, and accuracy was compared to intraoperative neuronavigation. Results: the device demonstrated acceptable error and clinical feasibility, especially in centers with limited resources. Conclusion: This technology demonstrated an effective alternative for accurately determining the center point of a lesion and delimiting the craniotomy area, regardless of the availability of neuronavigation or stereotaxis.

Keywords

3D printing; Lesion localization; Craniotomy; Neuronavigation; Surgical planning; Neurosurgery

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1Neurosurgery Service, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, (INC), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

2Graduate Program in Health Technology, Pontíficia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

3INC 3D Technology Lab, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

4Neurosurgery Department, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

 

Received Jul 27, 2025

Accepted Aug 2, 2025