STEREOLITHOGRAPHIC MODELS DERIVED FROM X-RAY COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY - REPRODUCTION ACCURACY

We investigate the accuracy of complex anatomical replicas derived fro m X-ray computed tomography data linked to the rapid prototyping techn ique of stereolithography. Data processing by specific softwares (segm entation, three-dimensional interpolation) allows direct interfacing w ith the stereolithography apparatus to build a resin replica with repr oduction of internal cavities. Our preliminary results about surface a nd dimensional accuracies suggest that the reproduction of complex ana tomical structures by stereolithography is reliable enough to be used for surgical planning, for custom-made implants and for surgical anato my teaching.