From Imaging to Visualization: Seeing the Future of Endometriosis Care

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe how the knowledge from standard imaging practices can be translated into 3-dimensional visualization techniques and used in the surgical planning and management of endometriosis. DESIGN: Two case studies of patients with endometriosis are described. SETTING: Tertiary care academic center. INTERVENTIONS: Transvaginal ultrasound [1], magnetic resonance imaging, 3-dimensional printing [2], and 3-dimensional virtual reality modeling [3] were used during patient workup and preparation. Three-dimensional modeling was performed by a virtual reality technician and verified for accuracy by a fellowship-trained radiologist. Surgical management for endometriosis was performed. CONCLUSION: Although expert transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging suffice for most cases, 3-dimensional printing and virtual reality modeling are a novel adjunct to standard imaging modalities. Rendering 2-dimensional images into a 3-dimensional representation allows users to interact with the anatomy and is particularly useful when distorted by complex pathology. These techniques contributed to improved patient understanding and experience and helped medical learners better grasp regular imaging techniques and its translation to pelvic anatomy. Finally, it augmented surgeon comprehension of the relationship between the pelvic structures, allowing for enhanced surgical planning and intraoperative decision making. Further study is being performed to quantify these effects.