Man Gets Diagnosed After 20 Years by 3D Printing His own CT Scans

Thanks to the marvels of 3D printing combined with existing CT scan technology, one man finally has a diagnosis for significant pain he has endured for over two decades. Since an assault in 1988, Paul Heathcote has had severe pain in the left side of his face and throat that doctors just couldn't diagnose to treat. Heathcote took matters into his own hands in 2011, after thinking he'd had a stroke due to the pain, and generated 3D images from a cervical spine CT scan he'd had done, creating a 3D print. Through these, Heathcote and his doctors saw a fracture of his hyoid bone and he was finally sent to the correct specialist, who diagnosed him with Hyoid Bone Syndrome. While it's too late now to perform surgery on the fractured bone, Heathcote finally knows an accurate diagnosis and pain management can be better targeted. Read more in the full article: http://3dprint.com/21369/hyoid-bone-syndrom-3d-print/ ‎


Below is a 3D rendering of a hyoid bone fracture:
http://3dprint.com/wp-content/upload...idnonunion.jpg

What amazes me is how primitive our medical system is!

Great story Eddie, and I hope we start seeing more of these stories as the 3D tools become easier and the knowledge more available. I plan to mention this story today on "3D in Review"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by All Things 3D

Great story Eddie, and I hope we start seeing more of these stories as the 3D tools become easier and the knowledge more available. I plan to mention this story today on "3D in Review"

---

Eddie did a very good job with the story - thanks Eddie.

After over 2 decades of complaining to doctors and specialists I finally feel vindicated as I felt they believed I was making up my symptoms. It is actually recorded in my medical records that the numerous scans I have had over the years show nothing that could account for my pain. We now know they were wrong thanks to 3D printing.

More recently a consultant radiologist here in the UK told my lawyers that my clavicle hadn't been fractured as I had claimed in my action against a hospital for medical negligence. He said that what was shown on scans were holes that had been drilled in surgery and not evidence of an old healed fracture as was my claim. I intend to use 3D imaging to prove he was not telling the truth. Eddie may be interested in that too.

Hi Paul,

Are you interested on being our "Guest Crasher" on "3D in Review" this Friday at 9:45 a.m. PST? I plan to mention your last story and love for you talk about it more. You can reach me at info@allthings3d.net

Thanks,

Mike

Your doc is working for the insurance companies, a paid denier of service!