Introduction Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping, originated in the 1980s and encompasses various processes that create physical 3D objects by fabricating them layer by layer from a digital file. , Whether the 3D printed…
Introduction The process of creating a physical three-dimensional (3D) printed model from medical imaging data is complicated and involves numerous steps. In order for a patient-specific anatomic model to be suitable for 3D printing, segmented anatomical regions of interest must…
Introduction In medical imaging, a three-dimensional (3D) image, or volume, is often acquired by stacking up a series of two-dimensional (2D) slice images. Just as 2D images are made up of pixels, 3D volumes such as computed tomography (CT) or…
Medical imaging technologies, which allow us to “see into” and understand living systems, play a significant role in biology and medicine. The X-ray has paved the way for many high-tech medical imaging technologies that are used today including computed tomography…
Introduction Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies are now entering their fourth decade of use and many medical applications now are very well established and optimized. Despite this, many in the medical field are surprised to hear that 3D printing is not…
1 What radiographic features distinguish interstitial diseases from airspace diseases? Two primary characteristics radiographically distinguish interstitial diseases from airspace diseases. First, interstitial diseases displace little of the air within the lung, whereas airspace diseases displace large amounts of air. Interstitial…
1 What is the difference between a pulmonary acinus and a secondary pulmonary lobule? The acinus (Latin for “berry”) is a structural unit of the lung distal to a terminal bronchiole, supplied by first-order respiratory bronchioles, which contains alveolar ducts…
1 What is a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN)? An SPN is a solitary focal lesion in the lung that measures 3 cm or less. A solitary focal lesion that is greater than 3 cm is considered to be a mass, and most…
1 What are the clinical indications for computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the peripheral and visceral arteries? CTA and MRA are noninvasive methods of assessing the arteries and veins, which have all but replaced catheter…
1 What is the normal appearance of the pulmonary vessels on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? The main pulmonary artery originates from the right ventricular outflow tract, anterior and to the left of the aortic root, and…