A 3D-Printed Model-Assisted Cervical Spine Instrumentation after Tumor Resection in a 4-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In the case of tumor resection in the upper cervical spine, a multilevel laminectomy with instrumented fixation is required to prevent kyphotic deformity and myelopathy. Nevertheless, instrumentation of the cervical spine in children under the age of 8 years is challenging due to anatomical considerations and unavailability of specific instrumentation. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> We present a case of 3D-printed model-assisted cervical spine instrumentation in a 4-year-old child with post-laminectomy kyphotic decompensation of the cervical spine and spinal cord injury 1 year after medulloblastoma metastasis resection in the upper cervical spine. Due to unavailability of specific instrumentation, 3D virtual planning was used to assess and plan posterior cervical fixation. Fixation with 3.5 mm lateral mass and isthmic screws was suggested and the feasibility of fixation was confirmed “in vitro” in a 3D-printed model preoperatively to reduce the possibility of intraoperative implant-spine mismatch. Intraoperative conditions completely resembled the preoperative plan and 3.5 mm polyaxial screws were successfully used as planned. Postoperatively the child made a complete neurological recovery and 2 years after the instrumented fusion is still disease free with no signs of spinal decompensation. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Our case shows that posterior cervical fixation with the conventional screw-rod technique in a 4-year-old child is feasible, but we suggest that suitability and positioning of the chosen implants are preoperatively assessed in a printed 3D model. In addition, a printed 3D model offers the possibility to better visualize and sense spinal anatomy “in vivo,” thereby helping screw placement and reducing the chance for intraoperative complications, especially in the absence of intraoperative spinal navigation.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based Brain Tumor Detection Using Contour Coding Technique and Support Vector Machine

“…Another similar operator was applied to generate SVM clustering, like a Kayyali Operator, which was working based on a perfect convolution filter 3x3 [3]. For the detection of brain tumour, SVM clustering is at the forefront of computer vision systems and it needs quality inspection and evaluation [12] [13]. Contour coding technique provides a relatively simple but precise methodology for edge detection problems, with more demanding requirements on the accuracy and robustness of the detection, the traditional algorithm can no longer handle the challenging task of edge detection.…”

Application Progress of 3D Printing in the Field of Spine Surgery

“…However, there were no significant differences in morbidity, length of hospital stay, postoperative imaging results, or pedicle screw deviation compared with conventional groups' personalized implants. Jug M. et al [37] showed a case of a 3D printed model to assist cervical spine instruments, using 3D virtual planning to evaluate and plan retrocervical spine fixation surgical plans, using 3D printed models to confirm the feasibility of fixation "in vitro" before surgery, and minimizing the possibility of intraoperative implant-spine mismatch. The outcome was that the intraoperative conditions were exactly similar to the preoperative plan and the screws were successfully inserted as planned.…”