Pediatrics

3D printed fetal head helps manage care for baby

Megan Thompson was about 30 weeks pregnant when an ultrasound showed a walnut-sized lump on her tiny, unborn child’s face that could prevent him from breathing after birth. Thompson was referred to the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital where doctors had to decide whether baby Conan could be delivered safely through a C-section or needed a rare and complex lifesaving procedure. The tool they used to help make that difficult decision – 3D printing.

Photo: 3D printed fetal head helps manage care for baby

Using a specialized MRI of the fetus in the womb, doctors were able to use a 3D printer to print models of the fetus face, helping determine exactly where and how dangerous the soft tissue mass was. The case is outlined in the November issue of Pediatrics.

“Based on the images we had, it was unclear whether the mass would block Conan’s airway after birth. The 3D printed model of the fetus allowed us to actually see in person what it looked like and have something in our hands to help us decide the best way to care for the baby,” says senior author Glenn Green, M.D., associate professor of pediatric otolaryngology at U-M’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

“This is the first case we are aware of that 3D printing has helped show how severe an airway risk in a fetus was in order to make clinical decisions. 3D printing may be an incredibly valuable tool to help doctors prepare for complex cases ahead of birth.”

The extra information gained from the 3D printed models helped doctors determine that Conan would not need what’s called an Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment Procedure (EXIT). The EXIT procedure requires a partial delivery of the baby while it remains attached by its umbilical cord to the placenta so that a surgeon can establish an airway to allow the baby to breathe. Instead, Conan was born via a scheduled C-section.

“I was terrified when I found out there was a possibility my baby might not be able to breathe after birth,” recalls Thompson, of Wayne County, Mich. “Hearing him cry after he was born was the most incredible, emotional experience because I knew he was OK.”

“They told me the 3D printed models would help give them a more accurate idea of what was going on and what kind of delivery I should have. I was relieved that I didn’t need the more complicated and risky surgery and could be awake for the birth of my first baby. I’m glad that what they did for Conan may help other babies and their families in similar situations.”


Source: University of Michigan Health System

23.10.2015

More on the subject:
Read all latest stories

Related articles

Photo

Video • Digital design-to-manufacturing process

3D printing personalised prosthetics anywhere in the world

A fully digital design-to-manufacturing process developed at Loughborough University has the potential to revolutionise lower limb socket production by allowing printing outside of hospital settings.

Photo

News • 3D tissue culture platform

"Mini liver" shows promise for drug discovery

A European team of researchers have successfully developed a new, living organ model which could advance rapid testing of new or common drugs to treat diseases of the liver.

Photo

News • Neuro research

3D printing method shows promise for repairing brain injuries

University of Oxford researchers demonstrated that neural cells can be 3D printed to mimic the architecture of the cerebral cortex. This could be used in patients after brain injuries.

Related products

32 Inch Height-Adjustable MRI LED Screen

Accessories / Complementary Systems

allMRI · 32 Inch Height-Adjustable MRI LED Screen

allMRI GmbH
3D printed pure tungsten anti-scatter grids

Accessories / Complementary Systems

Dunlee · 3D printed pure tungsten anti-scatter grids

Dunlee – Philips Medical Systems DMC GmbH
Accutron MR

Injectors

Medtron AG · Accutron MR

MEDTRON AG
Accutron MR3

Injectors

Medtron AG · Accutron MR3

MEDTRON AG
Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine for MR

Artificial Intelligence

Canon · Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine for MR

Canon Medical Systems Europe B.V.
Subscribe to Newsletter