Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30547209›Full record

ArticleSurgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA2019

3D printing anatomical models of head bones.

M Bartikian, A Ferreira, A Gonçalves-Ferreira, L L Neto

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Recent advances in 3D printing applications for CNS tumours.European journal of medical research · 2025
    Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
  9. Article
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  12. Article
  13. Three-dimensional printing in anatomy teaching: current evidence.Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA · 2020
    Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

M BartikianAnatomy Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Instituto de Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal. mickael.bartikian@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6278-8065
A FerreiraAnatomy Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Instituto de Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.
A Gonçalves-FerreiraAnatomy Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Instituto de Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.
L L NetoAnatomy Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Instituto de Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeIn many medical schools, the study of Anatomy is becoming increasingly theoretical owing to the difficulty of having human body parts available, rather than offering the students the possibility of a more realistic and practical approach. We developed a project where we use a 3D printer to produce models of the human skull bones, with high quality and quantity to satisfy the needs for Anatomy classes and to be available for request to study at home.

methodsWe selected regular and well-shaped bones of the head upon which we based the 3D models. These bones were scanned using a 64-channel Computed Tomography (high-resolution volumetric acquisition) and the resulting images were then processed with a segmentation software to isolate and reconstruct the structures of interest. The final digital three-dimensional objects were converted into a printable file that the 3D printer could read. We used two filament extrusion type 3D printers, the Prusa i3 and the Zortrax M200.

resultsWe have printed successfully several models of the skull bones, such as the temporal, occipital, and sphenoid. All the models have obtained good anatomical detail, thus demonstrating the practicality of this technology. Key aspects of the CT image post-processing are discussed. The production process is cost-effective and technically accessible.

conclusionsThese results confirm the potential of 3D printing to create more complex models (e.g. regional, vascular, nervous system structures) that would allow a similar experience compared with a dissection.

Indexed as

Models, AnatomicAnatomyCost-Benefit AnalysisDissectionEducation, Medical, UndergraduateHumansImaging, Three-DimensionalPrinting, Three-DimensionalSchools, MedicalSkullSoftwareTomography, X-Ray Computed3D printingAnatomyBonesOccipitalSegmentationSkullSphenoidTemporal

Identifiers

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Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.