3D imagery helps surgeons plan surgery

This approach uses molecular PET/CT images of a patient to rapidly create a 3D image of that patient, so that surgeons can see the detailed anatomical structure, peel away layers of tissue, and move around in space to see all sides of a tumour, before entering the operating room to excise it.

‘Our technology presents PET/CT data in an intuitive manner to help physicians make critical decisions during surgical planning,’ said Matthew Wampole, Ph.D., from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Jefferson.

The researchers produced a surgical simulation of human pancreatic cancer reconstructed from a patient’s PET scans and contrast-enhanced CT scans. Six Jefferson surgeons evaluated the 3D model for accuracy, usefulness, and applicability of the model to actual surgical experience.

According to a statement, the surgeons reported that the 3D imaging technique would help in planning an operation. Furthermore, the surgeons indicated that the 3D image would be most useful if it were accessible in the operating room during surgery. The 3D image is designed to speed the excision of malignant tissue, avoiding bleeding from unusually placed arteries or veins, according to the report published September 24^th in PLOS ONE.