Man Self Diagnoses His Spinal Problem With 3D Printed CT Scan

[Brian_Krassenstein]

Paul Heathcote has done it again. The victim of a brutal assault in 1988, Heathcote has been suffering undiagnosed pains since his attack. With doctors unable to discover the source of his severe pain symptoms, Heathcote took matters into his own hands. Previously, he took a CT scan and created a 3D print from it, via which he and his doctors were finally able to discover his Hyoid Bone Syndrome. Now, with another CT scan -- this time of his complete cervical spine -- he made a new 3D reconstruction, and noticed more spinal abnormalities. With the 3D images and scan, a doctor was able to see that the assault had left multiple avulsion fractures and subluxations of his cervical spin. Heathcote was immediately referred to the spinal department at his local hospital. Read more in the full article: http://3dprint.com/22685/3d-printed-cervical-spine/


Below is a look at Heathcote's damaged spine, in 3D:

[eh1]

what company did he use to print his CT scan?

[All Things 3D]

Great followup Eddie. I was wondering if you had time this Friday at 9:45 a.m. PST to come and talk about this along with Paul if he can make it. One, it would be great to just have you on and talk about you how come up with such good stories and two, your impression of where 3D in headed in medicine and in general sicne you have been covering 3D for sometime now. I hope you can make it. You can reach me at mebalzer@allthings3d.net.

[Geoff]

I want a scan of my back, I have a horrid spine.

[All Things 3D]

Great followup Eddie. I was wondering if you had time this Friday at 9:45 a.m. PST to come and talk about this along with Paul if he can make it. One, it would be great to just have you on and talk about you how come up with such good stories and two, your impression of where 3D in headed in medicine and in general sicne you have been covering 3D for sometime now. I hope you can make it. You can reach me at mebalzer@allthings3d.net.

Hi Geof,

You may want to listen to the podcast we did "3D in Medicine" and the interview I did with Dr. Klioze a few months back. http://allthings3d.net

Here in the US you can have a CT scan done for about $250 - $700 if you don't have insurance. I was told in Taiwan it is only $70.00. I don't know what they charge in Australia, but I am assuming it lower than it is here. As long as you have not had a CT scan recently, I would indeed do it. Just keep in mind not all CT scanners are made the same and the amount of radiation is higher on older models.

Mike
All Things 3D

[meghan81]

Paul generously shared his 3D model on the NIH 3D Print Exchange: http://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3dpx-000601

Check out the site to find many more medical and scientific models: http://3dprint.nih.gov/

[Paul Heathcote]

Hi Geof,

You may want to listen to the podcast we did "3D in Medicine" and the interview I did with Dr. Klioze a few months back. http://allthings3d.net

Mike
All Things 3D

I find myself unable to get a radiologist here in the UK to report on my scans and x-rays because of the possible implications for the clinicians who failed to diagnose and treat the fractures when they happened all those years ago which has ruined my life. Do you think Dr Kliose would be willing to help me?