Description
Clinical History
A teenage boy presents with groin pain after horse-riding. Examination revealed a large, deep lump. Following biopsy and imaging, the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma was made and a radical surgical resection of his right leg was performed.
Pathology
The specimen consists of the upper end of the femur and its articulation with the pelvis. Within the neck and head of the femur and replacing most of the ilium there is a lobulated pale grey tumor with areas of cavitation, necrosis and hemorrhage. The tumor is extending out beyond bone into the surrounding soft tissues and appears encapsulated. The presence of infiltration, necrosis and hemorrhage are macroscopic features of malignancy.
Further Information
Chondrosarcoma is a primary malignant bone tumor with cartilaginous differentiation. It is a rare cancer that accounts for about 20% of bone tumors. The only available treatment is excisional surgical resection since the current adjuvant treatments are ineffective. The pelvic location creates specific technical difficulties both for exeresis and reconstruction.
The disease usually starts in the bones of the arms, legs or pelvis, but it can be found in any part of the body that contains cartilage. Sometimes chondrosarcoma grows de novo form an otherwise healthy bone; however, sometimes it may arise from a benign bone tumor (an enchondroma or osteochondroma).
There are several subtypes of chondrosarcoma, named based on their microscopic and genetic characteristics. These include: conventional chondrosarcoma; Clear cell chondrosarcoma; Myxoid chondrosarcoma; Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma; Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma.
Advantages
- Anatomically accurate and identical to real specimen
- No ethical issues - not real human body parts
- Reasonably priced
- Available within a short lead time
- Reproducible, several identical prints can be used as a classroom set
- Can be produced in different sizes to cater for the needs of the teacher
Human Cadavers
- Access to cadavers can be problematic. Many countries cannot access cadavers for cultural and religious reasons
- Cadavers cost a lot money
- High cost for establishing your own plastination suite
- Wet specimens cannot be used in uncertified labs
- Dissection of cadavers is a lot of staff time and that is a cost
- Storage of cadaver material needs special refrigeration etc. which has coast
- If you want another specimen you have to start all over again
Plastinates
- Costs
- Ethical issues
- Timeframe for plastination process
- Many countries do not allow their importation
- One of a kind
Superior 3D print results compared with conventional methods
- Vibrant color offering with 10 million colors
- UV-curable inkjet printing
- High quality 3D printing that can create products that are delicate, extremely precise and incredibly realistic
Clear Support Material
- To avoid breakage of fragile, thin, and delicate arteries, veins or vessels, a clear support material is printed on such spots. This makes the models robust and can be handled by students easily.
