The Role of 3D Technology in the Neurosurgical Management of Craniosynostosis

This chapter will describe how 3D technology innovates the clinical management of craniosynostosis (CS). One impactful innovation is 3D stereophotogrammetry, an ideal, non-invasive imaging technique to diagnose, monitor, and evaluate cranial abnormalities because of its low acquisition time, high accuracy, good reproducibility, and lack of ionizing radiation. The powerful combination of 3D models with 3D analysis methods results in the objective and accurate evaluation of cranial morphology. Therefore, 3D photogrammetric analysis is an objective assessment method to evaluate treatment outcomes of endoscopic-assisted surgery and cranial vault remodeling for CS. By implementing this method, longitudinal 3D datasets of cranial abnormalities and normative references are created to improve future management. In addition, this chapter will demonstrate how 3D Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) helps the Craniofacial team to progress with the surgical planning and strategy of cranial vault remodeling by providing a safer and more efficient workflow. VSP in cranial vault remodeling offers multiple surgical options, from which the most optimal surgical plan can be selected with a fast and accurate transfer onto the patient through 3D printed surgical templates. Other technological evolutions such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, surgical navigation, and robotics may become even more helpful in the future treatment of CS.