Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Systematic Review of Three-Dimensional Printing in Liver Disease

  • Published:
Journal of Digital Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to analyse current literature related to the clinical applications of 3D printed models in liver disease. A search of the literature was conducted to source studies from databases with the aim of determining the applications and feasibility of 3D printed models in liver disease. 3D printed model accuracy and costs associated with 3D printing, the ability to replicate anatomical structures and delineate important characteristics of hepatic tumours, and the potential for 3D printed liver models to guide surgical planning are analysed. Nineteen studies met the selection criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Seventeen of them were case reports and two were original studies. Quantitative assessment measuring the accuracy of 3D printed liver models was analysed in five studies with mean difference between 3D printed models and original source images ranging from 0.2 to 20%. Fifteen studies provided qualitative assessment with results showing the usefulness of 3D printed models when used as clinical tools in preoperative planning, simulation of surgical or interventional procedures, medical education, and training. The cost and time associated with 3D printed liver model production was reported in 11 studies, with costs ranging from US$13 to US$2000, duration of production up to 100 h. This systematic review shows that 3D printed liver models demonstrate hepatic anatomy and tumours with high accuracy. The models can assist with preoperative planning and may be used in the simulation of surgical procedures for the treatment of malignant hepatic tumours.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Naftulin JS, Kimchi EY, Cash SS: Streamlined, inexpensive 3D printing of the brain and skull. PLoS ONE 10:1–15, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Ho D, Squelch A, Sun Z: Modelling of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection through 3D printing. J Med Radiat Sci 64:10–17, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Schmauss D, Haeberle S, Hagl C, Sodian R: Three-dimensional printing in cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology: a single-centre experience. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 47:1044–1052, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Valverde I, Gomez G, Gonzales A, Suarez-Mejias C, Adsuar AF, Coserria JF, Uribe S, Gomez-Cia T, Hosseinpour AR: Three-dimensional patient-specific cardiac model for surgical planning in Nikaidoh procedure. Cardiol Young 25:698–704, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Sun Z, Lee S: A systematic review of 3-D printing in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Anatol J Cardiol 17:423–435, 2017

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Giannopoulos AA, Mitsouras D, Yoo SJ, Liu PP, Chatzizisis YS, Rybicki FJ: Applications of 3D printing in cardiovascular diseases. Nat Rev Cardiol 13:701–718, 2016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Martelli N, Serrano C, van den Brink H, Pineau J, Prognon P, Borget I, El Batti S: Advantages and disadvantages of 3-dimensional printing in surgery: A systematic review. Surgery 159:1485–1500, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Jones DB, Sung R, Weinberg C, Korelitz T, Andrews R: Three-dimensional modeling may improve surgical education and clinical practice. Surg Innov 23:189–195, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bernhard J, Isotani S, Matsugasumi T, Duddalwar V, Hung A, Suer E, Baco E, Satkunasivam R, Djaladat H, Metcalfe C, Hu B, Wong K, Park D, Nguyen M, Hwang D, Bazargani ST, de Castro Abreu AL, Aron M, Ukimura O, Gill IS: Personalized 3D printed model of kidney and tumor anatomy: a useful tool for patient education. World J Urol 34:337–345, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Vukicevic M, Mosadegh B, Min JK, Little SH: Cardiac 3D printing and its future directions. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 10:171–184, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ploch CC, Mansi CSSA, Jayamohan J, Kuhl E: Using 3D printing to create personalized brain models for neurosurgical training and preoperative planning. World Neurosurg 90:668–674, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Lambrecht JT, Berndt DC, Schumacher R, Zehnder M: Generation of three-dimensional prototype models based on cone beam computed tomography. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 4:175–180, 2009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Preece D, Williams SB, Lam R, Weller R: “Let’s get physical”: Advantages of a physical model over 3D computer models and textbooks in learning imaging anatomy. Anat Sci Educ 6:216–224, 2013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Waran V, Narayanan V, Karuppiah R, Pancharatnam D, Chandran H, Raman R, Rahman ZA, Owen SL, Aziz TZ: Injecting realism in surgical training - Initial simulation experience with custom 3D models. J Surg Educ 71:193–197, 2014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Zheng Y, Yu D, Zhao J, Wu Y, Zheng B: 3D printout models vs. 3D-rendered images: which is better for preoperative planning? J Surg Educ 73:518–523, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zein NN, Hanouneh IA, Bishop PD, Samaan M, Eghtesad B, Quintini C, Miller C, Yerian L, Klatte R: Three-dimensional print of a liver for preoperative planning in living donor liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 19:1304–1310, 2013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Witowski JS, Pędziwiatr M, Major P, Budzyński A: Cost-effective, personalized, 3D-printed liver model for preoperative planning before laparoscopic liver hemihepatectomy for colorectal cancer metastases. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 12:2047–2054, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Madurska MJ, Poyade M, Eason D, Rea P, Watson AJM: Development of a patient-specific 3D-printed liver model for preoperative planning. Surg Innov 24:145–150, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Watson RA: A low-cost surgical application of additive fabrication. J Surg Educ 71:14–17, 2014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Xiang N, Fang C, Fan Y, Yang J, Zeng N, Liu J, Zhu W: Application of liver three-dimensional printing in hepatectomy for complex massive hepatocarcinoma with rare variations of portal vein: preliminary experience. Int J Clin Exp Med 8:18873–11887, 2015

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Mohr D, Shamseer L, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, Shekelle P, Stewart LA, PRISMA-P Group: Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 Statement. Syst Rev 4:1, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Witowski JS, Coles-Black J, Zuzak TZ, Pedziwiatr M, Chuen J, Major P, Budzyriski A: 3D printing in liver surgery: a systematic review. Telemed J E Health 23:943–947, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Soon DSC, Chae MP, Pilgrim CHC, Rozen WM, Spychal RT, Hunter-Smith DJ: 3D hepatic modelling for preoperative planning of hepatic resection: a systematic review. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 10:1–7, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Quintini C, Aucejo F, Hashimoto K, Zein N, Miller C: State of the art and future developments for surgical planning in LDLT. Curr Transpl Rep 1:35–42, 2014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Alkhouri N, Zein NN: Three-dimensional printing and pediatric liver disease. Curr Opin Pediatr 28:626–630, 2016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Oshiro Y, Ohkohchi N: Three-dimensional liver surgery simulation: computer-assisted surgical planning with three-dimensional simulation software and three-dimensional printing. Tissue Eng Part A 23:474–480, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Yao R, Xu G, Mao SS, Yang HY, Sang XT, Sun W, Mao YL: Three-dimensional printing: review of application in medicine and hepatic surgery. Cancer Biol Med 13:443–451, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Fang CH, Tao HS, Yang J, Fang ZS, Cai W, Liu J, Fan YH: Impact of three-dimensional reconstruction technique in the operation planning of centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma. J Am Coll Surg 220:28–37, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Leng S, Yu L, Vrieze T, Kuhlmann J, Chen B, McCollough CH. Construction of realistic liver phantoms from patients images using 3D printer and its application in CT image quality assessment. Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 2015, 2015

  30. Baimakhanov Z, Soyama A, Takatsuki M, Hidaka M, Hirayama T, Kinoshita A, Natsuda K, Kuroki T, Eguchi S: Preoperative simulation with a 3-dimensional printed solid model for one-stop reconstruction of multiple hepatic veins during living donor liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 21:266–268, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Bucking TM, Hill E, Robertson JL, Maneas E, Plumb AA, Nikitichev DI: From medical imaging data to 3D printed anatomical models. Plos One 12:e0178540, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Choi YR, Kim JH, Park SJ, Hur BY, Han JK: Therapeutic response assessment using 3D ultrasound for hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer: application of a personalized, 3D-printed tumor model using CT images. Plos One 12:e0182596, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Igami T, Nakamura Y, Hirose T, Ebata T, Yokoyama Y, Sugawara G, Mizuno T, Mori K, Nagino M: Application of a three-dimensional print of a liver in hepatectomy for small tumors invisible by intraoperative ultrasonography: Preliminary experience. World J Surg 38:3163–3166, 2014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Javan R, Herrin D, Tangestanipoor A: Understanding spatially complex segmental and branch anatomy using 3D printing: liver, lung, prostate, coronary arteries, and circle of willis. Acad Radiol 23:1183–1189, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Javan R, Zeman M: A prototype educational model for hepatobiliary interventions: unveiling the role of graphic designers in medical 3D printing. J Digit Imaging 31:133–143, 2018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Kong X, Nie L, Zhang H, Wang Z, Ye Q, Tang L, Li J, Huang W: Do three-dimensional visualization and three-dimensional printing improve hepatic segment anatomy teaching? A randomized controlled study. J Surg Educ 73:264–269, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Leng S, Chen B, Vrieze T, Kuhlman J, Yu L, Alexander A, Matsumoto J, Morris J, McCollough CH: Construction of realistic phantoms from patients images and a commercial three-dimensional printer. J Med Imag (Bellingham) 3:033501, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Oshiro Y, Mitani J, Okada T, Ohkohchi N: A novel three-dimensional print of liver vessels and tumors in hepatectomy. Surg Today 47:521–524, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Perica E, Sun Z: Patient-specific three-dimensional printing for pre-surgical planning in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. Quant Imaging Med Surg 7:668–677, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Soejima Y, Taguchi T, Sugimoto M, Hayashida M, Yoshizumi T, Ikegami T, Uchiyama H, Shirabe K, Maehara Y: Three-dimensional printing and biotexture modeling for preoperative simulation in living donor liver transplantation for small infants. Liver Transpl 22:1610–1614, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Souzaki R, Kinoshita Y, Ieiri S, Hayashida M, Koga Y, Shirabe K, Hara T, Maehara Y, Hashizume M, Taguchi T: Three-dimensional liver model based on preoperative CT images as a tool to assist in surgical planning for hepatoblastoma in a child. Pediatr Surg Int 31:593–596, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Takagi K, Nanashima A, Abo T, Arai J, Matsuo N, Fukuda T, Nagayasu T: Three-dimensional printing model of liver for operative simulation in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatogastroenterology 61:2315–1216, 2014

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Takao H, Amemiya S, Shibata E, Ohtomo K: Three-dimensional printing of hollow portal vein stenosis models: a feasibility study. J Vasc Interv Radiol 27:1755–1758, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Crossingham JL, Jenkinson J, Woolridge N, Gallinger S, Tait GA, Moulton CA: Interpreting three-dimensional structures from two-dimensional images: a web-based interactive 3D teaching model of surgical liver anatomy. HPB (Oxford) 11:523–528, 2009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Hansen C, Wieferich J, Ritter F, Rieder C, Peitgen H-O: Illustrative visualization of 3D planning models for augmented reality in liver surgery. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 5(2):133–141, 2010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Su L, Dong Q, Zhang H, Zhou X, Chen Y, Hao X, Li X: Clinical application of a three-dimensional imaging technique in infants and young children with complex liver tumours. Pediatr Surg Int 32(4):387–395, 2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Matsumoto JS, Morris JM, Foley TA, Kuhlmann JL, Nesberg LE, Vrtiska TJ: Three-dimensional physical modeling: applications and experience at Mayo clinic. Radiographics 35:1989–2006, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Echegaray S, Bakr S, Rubin DL, Napel S. Quantitative image feature engine (QIFE): an open-source, modular engine for 3D quantitative feature extraction from volumetric medical imaging. J Digit Imaging 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-017-0019-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Presti GL, Carbone M, Ciriad D, Aramini D, Ferrari M, Ferrari V: Assessment of DICOM viewers capable of loading patient-specific 3D models obtained by different segmentation platforms in the operating room. J Digit Imaging 28:518–527, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Bangerjee P, Hu M, Kannan R, Krishnaswamy S: A semi-automatic approach to improve the efficiency of medical imaging segmentation for haptic rendering. J Digit Imaging 30:519–527, 2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Park JS, Chung MS, Hwang SB, Lee YS, Har DH: Technical report on semiautomatic segmentation using the Adobe photoshop. J Digit Imaging 18:333–343, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Mitsouras D, Liacouras P, Imanzadeh A, Giannopolous AA, Cai T, Kumamaru KK, George E, Wake N, Caterson EJ, Pomahac B, Ho VB, Grant GT, Rybicki FJ: Medical 3D printing for the radiologist. Radiographics 35:1965–1988, 2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Lau I, Sun Z. Three-dimensional printing in congenital heart disease: A systematic review. J Med Radiat Sci 2018. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.268

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845, Australia

    Elizabeth Rose Perica & Zhonghua Sun

Authors
  1. Elizabeth Rose Perica
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhonghua Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhonghua Sun.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Perica, E.R., Sun, Z. A Systematic Review of Three-Dimensional Printing in Liver Disease. J Digit Imaging 31, 692–701 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-018-0067-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-018-0067-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation