Accuracy of augmented reality-guided needle placement for pulsed radiofrequency treatment of pudendal neuralgia: a pilot study on a phantom model.

Background: Pudendal neuralgia (PN) is a chronic neuropathy that causes pain, numbness, and dysfunction in the pelvic region. The current state-of-the-art treatment is pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in which a needle is supposed to be placed close to the pudendal nerve for neuromodulation. Given the effective range of PRF of 5 mm, the accuracy of needle placement is important. This study aimed to investigate the potential of augmented reality guidance for improving the accuracy of needle placement in pulsed radiofrequency treatment for pudendal neuralgia. Methods: In this pilot study, eight subjects performed needle placements onto an in-house developed phantom model of the pelvis using AR guidance. AR guidance is provided using an in-house developed application on the HoloLens 2. The accuracy of needle placement was calculated based on the virtual 3D models of the needle and targeted phantom nerve, derived from CBCT scans. Results: The median Euclidean distance between the tip of the needle and the target is found to be 4.37 (IQR 5.16) mm, the median lateral distance is 3.25 (IQR 4.62) mm and the median depth distance is 1.94 (IQR 7.07) mm. Conclusion: In this study, the first method is described in which the accuracy of patient-specific needle placement using AR guidance is determined. This method could potentially improve the accuracy of PRF needle placement for pudendal neuralgia, resulting in improved treatment outcomes.

Three-dimensional imaging of the forearm and hand: A comparison between two 3D imaging systems.

The conventional treatment for distal radius fractures typically involves immobilization of the injured extremity using a conventional forearm cast. These casts do cause all sorts of discomfort during wear and impose life-style restrictions on the wearer. Personalized 3D printed splints, designed using three-dimensional (3D) imaging systems, might overcome these problems. To obtain a patient specific splint, commercially available 3D camera systems are utilized to capture patient extremities, generating 3D models for splint design. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing a new camera system (SPENTYS) to capture 3D surface scans of the forearm for the design of 3D printed splints. In a prospective observational cohort study involving 17 healthy participants, we conducted repeated 3D imaging using both the new (SPENTYS) and a reference system (3dMD) to assess intersystem accuracy and repeatability. The intersystem accuracy of the SPENTYS system was determined by comparison of the 3D surface scans with the reference system (3dMD). Comparison of consecutive images acquired per device determined the repeatability. Feasibility was measured with system usability score questionnaires distributed among professionals. The mean absolute difference between the two systems was 0.44 mm (SD:0.25). The mean absolute difference of the repeatability of the reference -and the SPENTYS system was respectively 0.40 mm (SD: 0.30) and 0.53 mm (SD: 0.25). Both repeatability and intersystem differences were within the self-reported 1 mm. The workflow was considered easy and effective, emphasizing the potential of this approach within a workflow to obtain patient specific splint.

Three Dimensional Printing as a Tool For Anatomical Training in Lung Surgery.

Objective: Pulmonary anatomy is challenging, due to the high variability and its three-dimensional (3D) shape. While demands in thoracic oncologic surgery are increasing, the transition from open to thoracoscopic surgery is hampering anatomical understanding. This study analyzed the value of a 3D printed lung model in understanding and teaching anatomy. Methods: A 3D pulmonary model was created and tested among different levels of proficiency: 10 experienced surgeons, 10 fellow surgeons and 10 junior residents. They were tested in interpretation of anatomy based on thoracic CT-scans, either using the 3D model or a 2D anatomical atlas. Accuracy of the given answers, time to complete the task and the self-reported level of certainty were scored in each group. Results: In the experienced surgeons group there was no difference in between the 2D-model or 3D-model with a high rate of correct answers in both groups, and no differences in time or certainty. Fellow surgeons highly benefitted from the 3D-model with an improved accuracy from 26.6% to 70.0% (p = 0.001). Time to complete the task was shorter (207 versus 122 s, p < 0.0001) and participants were more secure (median of 4 versus 3, p = 0.007). For junior residents time to complete the task was shorter, the level of certainty was higher, but there was no improvement in accuracy. Conclusions: 3D printing may benefit in understanding anatomical relations in the complex anatomy of the bronchiopulmonary tree, especially for surgeons in training and could benefit in teaching anatomy. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-023-01807-x.

Location and motion of vaginal pessaries in situ in women with successful and unsuccessful pessary treatment for pelvic organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to compare the location and motion of pessaries between women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with a successful (fitting) and unsuccessful (non-fitting) pessary treatment on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). METHODS: A cross-sectional exploratory study of 15 women who underwent a mid-sagittal dMRI of the pelvic floor at rest, during contraction and during Valsalva with three different types of pessaries. The coordinates of the pessaries cross section, inferior pubic point (IPP) and sacrococcygeal junction (SCJ) were obtained and the location (position, orientation) and the motion (translation and rotation) were calculated. Differences between the groups and between the pessaries within the groups were compared. RESULTS: Nine women with a fitting pessary and 6 women with a non-fitting pessary were selected. In the non-fitting group, the pessaries were positioned more caudally and rotated more in clockwise direction and descended more, but not significantly, during Valsalva compared with the fitting group. The Falk pessary was positioned more anteriorly in the fitting group and more cranially in the non-fitting group compared with the ring and ring with support pessary. CONCLUSIONS: A non-fitting pessary was positioned more caudally at rest; on Valsalva, it rotated more clockwise and moved more caudally, suggesting that the dynamic characteristics of the pessary might play an important role in its effectiveness. Findings of this study serve as a basis for the development of new pessary designs.

Automatic grading of patients with a unilateral facial paralysis based on the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System - A deep learning study based on a convolutional neural network.

PURPOSE: In order to assess the severity and the progression of a unilateral peripheral facial palsy the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) is a well-established grading system due to its clinical relevance, sensitivity, and robust measuring method. However, training is required in order to achieve a high inter-rater reliability. This study investigated the automated grading of facial palsy patients based on the SFGS using a convolutional neural network. METHODS: A total of 116 patients with a unilateral peripheral facial palsy and 9 healthy subjects were recorded performing the Sunnybrook poses. A separate model was trained for each of the 13 elements of the SFGS and then used to calculate the Sunnybrook subscores and composite score. The performance of the automated grading system was compared to three clinicians experienced in the grading of a facial palsy. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability of the convolutional neural network was within the range of human observers, with an average intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.87 for the composite Sunnybrook score, 0.45 for the resting symmetry subscore, 0.89 for the symmetry of voluntary movement subscore, and 0.77 for the synkinesis subscore. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the potential of the automated SFGS to be implemented in a clinical setting. The automated grading system adhered to the original SFGS, which makes the implementation and interpretation of the automated grading more straightforward. The automated system can be implemented in numerous settings such as online consults in an e-Health environment, since the model used 2D images captured from a video recording.

Development and validation of the patient-reported "Facial Function Scale" for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

PURPOSE: Facial weakness and its functional consequences are an often underappreciated clinical feature of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) by healthcare professionals and researchers. This is at least in part due to the fact that there are few adequate clinical outcome measures available. METHODS: We developed the Facial Function Scale, a Rasch-built questionnaire on the functional disabilities relating to facial weakness in FSHD. A preliminary 33-item questionnaire was created based on semi-structured interviews with 16 FSHD patients and completed by 119 patients. For reliability studies, 73 patients completed it again after a two-week interval. Data were subjected to semi-automated Rasch analysis to select the most appropriate item set to fit model expectations. RESULTS: This resulted in a 25-item unidimensional, linear-weighted questionnaire with high internal consistency (person separation index = 0.92) and test-retest reliability (patients' locations ICC = 0.98 and items' locations ICC = 0.99). Good external construct validity scores were obtained through correlation with the Communicative Participation Item Bank questionnaire, examiner-reported Facial Weakness Score and facial weakness subscale of the FSHD evaluation score (respectively r = 0.733, r = -0.566, and r = 0.441, all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a linear-weighted, clinimetrically sound, patient-reported outcome measure on the functional disabilities relating to facial weakness in FSHD, to enable further research on this relevant topic.Implications for rehabilitationFacial weakness and its functional consequences are an often underappreciated clinical feature of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), both in symptomatic treatment and in research.To enable the development and testing of therapeutic symptomatic interventions for facial weakness, clinical outcome measures are required.This study provides a linear-weighted, clinimetrically sound, patient-reported outcome measure on the functional disabilities relating to facial weakness in FSHD patients.

Entry Point Variation in the Osseous Fixation Pathway of the Anterior Column of the Pelvis-A Three-Dimensional Analysis.

Fractures of the superior pubic ramus can be treated with screw insertion into the osseous fixation pathway (OFP) of the anterior column (AC). The entry point determines whether the screw exits the OFP prematurely. This can be harmful when it enters the hip joint or damages soft tissues inside the lesser pelvis. The exact entry point varies between patients and can be difficult to ascertain on fluoroscopy during surgery. The aim of this study was to determine variation in the location of the entry point. A retrospective single center study was performed at a level 1 trauma center in the Netherlands. Nineteen adult patients were included with an undisplaced fracture of the superior pubic ramus on computer tomography (CT)-scan. Virtual three-dimensional (3D) models of the pelvises were created. Multiple screws were placed per AC and the models were superimposed. A total of 157 screws were placed, of which 109 did not exit the OFP prematurely. A universally reproducible entry point could not be identified. A typical crescent shaped region of entry points did exist and was located more laterally in females when compared to males. Three-dimensional virtual surgery planning can be helpful to identify the ideal entry points in each case.

3D stereophotogrammetry in children and adolescents with Scleroderma En Coup De Sabre/Parry-Romberg Syndrome: Description of a novel method for monitoring disease progression.

Background: The diagnosis of Scleroderma En Coup de Sabre (ECDS)/Parry Romberg Syndrome (PRS) is mainly based on characteristic clinical findings. Methods to objectively monitor the course of the disease in a standardized way are lacking. Objectives: This descriptive, retrospective, single centre cohort study aims to describe the contribution of 3D photographs in the assessment of the degree of facial asymmetry changes over time in growing children and adolescents with ECDS and PRS. Methods: Six patients diagnosed with ECDS/PRS, with a follow-up period of at least 24 months and at least three 3D photographs were included. Mirroring these 3D photographs was automatically performed using surface-based matching to generate a colour-coded distance map, illustrating the inter-surface distance and thereby asymmetry between the original and mirrored 3D photographs. The percentage of absolute distances between the original and mirrored 3D photograph were calculated. Results: In two patients, impressive decreases in the percentages of absolute distance levels over time were found, whereas the other patients did not show progression of asymmetry over time. Conclusion: This study shows the potential of 3D stereophotogrammetry as an objective tool to measure disease activity over time in patients with ECDS/PRS.

A semi-automatic three-dimensional technique using a regionalized facial template enables facial growth assessment in healthy children from 1.5 to 5.0 years of age.

Objectives: To develop a semi-automatic technique to evaluate normative facial growth in healthy children between the age of 1.5 and 5.0 years using three-dimensional stereophotogrammetric images. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional facial images of healthy children at 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 years of age were collected and positioned based on a reference frame. A general face template was used to extract the face and its separate regions from the full stereophotogrammetric image. Furthermore, this template was used to create a uniform distributed mesh, which could be directly compared to other meshes. Average faces were created for each age group and mean growth was determined between consecutive groups for the full face and its separate regions. Finally, the results were tested for intra- and inter-operator performance. Results: The highest growth velocity was present in the first period between 1.5 and 2.0 years of age with an average of 1.50 mm (±0.54 mm) per six months. After 2.0 years, facial growth velocity declined to only a third at the age of 5.0 years. Intra- and inter-operator variability was small and not significant. Conclusions: The results show that this technique can be used for objective clinical evaluation of facial growth. Example normative facial averages and the corresponding facial growth between the age 1.5 and 5.0 years are shown. Clinical Relevance: This technique can be used to collect and process facial data for objective clinical evaluation of facial growth in the individual patient. Furthermore, these data can be used as normative data in future comparative studies.

Three-dimensional Surface Imaging for Clinical Decision Making in Pectus Excavatum.

To evaluate pectus excavatum, 3-dimensional surface imaging is a promising radiation-free alternative to computed tomography and plain radiographs. Given that 3-dimensional images concern the external surface, the conventional Haller index, and correction index are not applicable as these are based on internal diameters. Therefore, external equivalents have been introduced for 3-dimensional images. However, cut-off values to help determine surgical candidacy using external indices are lacking. A prospective cohort study was conducted. Consecutive patients referred for suspected pectus excavatum received a computed tomography (≥18 years) or plain radiographs (<18 years). The external Haller index and external correction index were calculated from additionally acquired 3-dimensional images. Cut-off values for the 3-dimensional image derived indices were obtained by receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses, using a conventional Haller index ≥3.25, and computed tomography derived correction index ≥28.0% as indicative for surgery. Sixty-one and 63 patients were included in the computed tomography and radiograph group, respectively. To determine potential surgical candidacy, receiver-operating characteristic analyses found an optimum cut-off of ≥1.83 for the external Haller index in both the computed tomography and radiograph group with a positive predictive value between 0.90 and 0.97 and a negative predictive value between 0.72 and 0.81. The optimal cut-off for the external correction index was ≥15.2% with a positive predictive value of 0.86 and negative predictive value of 0.93. The 3-dimensional image derived external Haller index and external correction index are accurate radiation-free alternatives to facilitate surgical decision-making among patients suspected of pectus excavatum with values of ≥1.83 and ≥15.2% indicative for surgery.

3D-printed prostheses in developing countries: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, only 5%-15% of people in lower-income countries have access to prostheses. This is largely due to low availability of materials and high costs of prostheses. 3D-printing techniques have become easily accessible and can offer functional patient-specific components at relatively low costs, reducing or bypassing the current manufacturing and postprocessing steps. However, it is not yet clear how 3D-printing can provide a sustainable solution to the low availability of limb prostheses for patients with amputations in lower-income countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 3D-printing for the production of limb prostheses in lower-income countries and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs). STUDY DESIGN: Systematic Review. METHODS: Literature searches, completed in April 2020, were performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search results were independently screened and reviewed by four reviewers. Only studies that examined interventions using prostheses in LLMICs for patients with limb amputations were selected for data extraction and synthesis. The web was also searched using Google for projects that did not publish in a scientific journal. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included. Results were reported regarding country of use, cost and weight, 3D-printing technology, satisfaction, and failure rate. CONCLUSION: Low material costs, aesthetic appearance, and the possibility of personalized fitting make 3D-printed prostheses a potential solution for patients with limb amputations in LLMICs. However, the lack of (homogeneous) data shows the need for more published (scientific) research to enable a broader availability of knowledge about 3D-printed prostheses for LLMICs.

Pioneering low-cost 3D-printed transtibial prosthetics to serve a rural population in Sierra Leone - an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is a huge unmet global need for affordable prostheses. Amputations often happen in Sierra Leone due to serious infections, complex wounds, traffic accidents and delayed patient presentation to the hospital. However, purchasing a prosthesis is still beyond reach for most Sierra Leonean amputees. METHOD: We applied computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to produce low-cost transtibial prosthetic sockets. In February and March 2020, eight participants received a 3D printed transtibial prosthesis in the village of Masanga in Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. Research was performed using questionnaires to investigate the use, participants' satisfaction, and possible complications related to the prostheses. Questionnaires were conducted prior to production of the prosthesis and five to six weeks after fitting the prosthesis. A personal short-term goal was set by the participants. FINDINGS: Competitively priced and fully functional prostheses were produced locally. After six weeks, all participants were still wearing the prosthesis and six of the eight participants reached their personal rehabilitation goals. Using their prostheses, all participants were no longer in need of their crutches. INTERPRETATION: We have come a step closer to the production of low-cost prostheses for low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The goal of our project is to perform long-term follow-up and to refine our concept of 3D printed prostheses for LMICs to provide practical solutions for a global health need unmet to date. FUNDING: € 15,000 was collected during a crowdfunding campaign in collaboration with the Dutch Albert Schweitzer Fund. Internship allowance for MvdS was obtained from the University of Twente. 3D-scanner, 3D-printer, and printing material were donated by Ultimaker BV and Shining 3D.

Validation of the OrthoGnathicAnalyser 2.0-3D accuracy assessment tool for bimaxillary surgery and genioplasty.

Orthognathic surgery is a widely performed procedure to correct dentofacial deformities. Virtual treatment planning is an important preparation step. One advantage of the use of virtual treatment planning is the possibility to assess the accuracy of orthognathic surgery. In this study, a tool (OrthoGnathicAnalyser 2.0), which allows for quantification of the accuracy of orthognathic surgery, is presented and validated. In the OrthoGnathicAnalyser 2.0 the accuracy of the osseous chin can now be assessed which was not possible in the earlier version of the OrthoGnathicAnalyser. 30 patients who underwent bimaxillary surgery in combination with a genioplasty were selected from three different centers in the Netherlands. A pre-operative (CB)CT scan, virtual treatment planning and postoperative (CB)CT scan were required for assessing the accuracy of bimaxillary surgery. The preoperative and postoperative (CB)CT scans were aligned using voxel-based matching. Furthermore, voxel-based matching was used to align the pre-operative maxilla, mandible and rami towards their postoperative position whereas surface-based matching was used for aligning the pre-operative chin towards the postoperative position. The alignment resulted in a transformation matrix which contained the achieved translations and rotations. The achieved translations and rotations can be compared to planning values of the virtual treatment plan. To study the reproducibility, two independent observers processed all 30 patients to assess the inter-observer variability. One observer processed the patients twice to assess the intra-observer variability. Both the intra- and inter-observer variability showed high ICC values (> 0.92) and low measurement variations (< 0.673±0.684mm and < 0.654±0.824°). The results of this study show that the OrthoGnathicAnalyser 2.0 has an excellent reproducibility for quantification of skeletal movements between two (CB)CT scans.

Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Chest Wall: A Comparison Between Three Different Imaging Systems.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) imaging is being used progressively to create models of patients with anterior chest wall deformities. Resulting models are used for clinical decision-making, surgical planning, and analysis. However, given the broad range of 3D imaging systems available and the fact that planning and analysis techniques are often only validated for a single system, it is important to analyze potential intrasystem and intersystem differences. The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy and reproducibility of three commercially available 3D imaging systems that are used to obtain images of the anterior chest wall. METHODS: Among 15 healthy volunteers, 3D images of the anterior chest wall were acquired twice per imaging device. Reproducibility was determined by comparison of consecutive images acquired per device while the true accuracy was calculated by comparison of 3D image derived and calipered anthropometric measurements. A maximum difference of 1.00 mm. was considered clinically acceptable. RESULTS: All devices demonstrated statistically comparable (P = 0.21) reproducibility with a mean absolute difference of 0.59 mm. (SD: 1.05), 0.54 mm. (SD: 2.08), and 0.48 mm. (SD: 0.60) for the 3dMD, EinScan Pro 2X Plus, and Artec Leo, respectively. The true accuracy was, respectively, 0.89 mm. (SD: 0.66), 1.27 mm. (SD: 0.94), and 0.81 mm. (SD: 0.71) for the 3dMD, EinScan, and Artec device and did not statistically differ (P = 0.085). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional imaging of the anterior chest wall utilizing the 3dMD and Artec Leo is feasible with comparable reproducibility and accuracy, whereas the EinScan Pro 2X Plus is reproducible but not clinically accurate.

Holographic Augmented Reality for DIEP Flap Harvest.

BACKGROUND: During a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap harvest, the identification and localization of the epigastric arteries and its perforators are crucial. Holographic augmented reality is an innovative technique that can be used to visualize this patient-specific anatomy extracted from a computed tomographic scan directly on the patient. This study describes an innovative workflow to achieve this. METHODS: A software application for the Microsoft HoloLens was developed to visualize the anatomy as a hologram. By using abdominal nevi as natural landmarks, the anatomy hologram is registered to the patient. To ensure that the anatomy hologram remains correctly positioned when the patient or the user moves, real-time patient tracking is obtained with a quick response marker attached to the patient. RESULTS: Holographic augmented reality can be used to visualize the epigastric arteries and its perforators in preparation for a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap harvest. CONCLUSIONS: Potentially, this workflow can be used visualize the vessels intraoperatively. Furthermore, this workflow is intuitive to use and could be applied for other flaps or other types of surgery.

Reliability and Agreement of 3D Anthropometric Measurements in Facial Palsy Patients Using a Low-Cost 4D Imaging System.

The reliability (precision) and agreement (accuracy) of anthropometric measurements based on manually placed 3D landmarks using the RealSense D415 were investigated in this paper. Thirty facial palsy patients, with their face in neutral (resting) position, were recorded simultaneously with the RealSense and a professional 3dMD imaging system. First the RealSense depth accuracy was determined. Subsequently, two observers placed 14 facial landmarks on the 3dMD and RealSense image, assessing the distance between landmark placement. The respective intra- and inter-rater Euclidean distance between the landmark placements was 0.84 mm (±0.58) and 1.00 mm (±0.70) for the 3dMD landmarks and 1.32 mm (±1.27) and 1.62 mm (±1.42) for the RealSense landmarks. From these landmarks 14 anthropometric measurements were derived. The intra- and inter-rater measurements had an overall reliability of 0.95 (0.87 - 0.98) and 0.93 (0.85 - 0.97) for the 3dMD measurements, and 0.83 (0.70 - 0.91) and 0.80 (0.64 - 0.89) for the RealSense measurements, respectively, expressed as the intra-class correlation coefficient. Determined by the Bland-Altman analysis, the agreement between the RealSense measurements and 3dMD measurements was on average -0.90 mm (-4.04 - 2.24) and -0.89 mm (-4.65 - 2.86) for intra- and inter-rater agreement, respectively. Based on the reported reliability and agreement of the RealSense measurements, the RealSense D415 can be considered as a viable option to perform objective 3D anthropomorphic measurements on the face in a neutral position, where a low-cost and portable camera is required.

The effect of lip closure on palatal growth in patients with unilateral clefts.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare maxillary dimensions and growth in newborns with Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (UCLP) to healthy newborns before and after cheiloplasty. Additionally, a palatal growth curve is constructed to give more information about the natural growth before surgical intervention. METHODS: Twenty-eight newborns with complete UCLP were enrolled in this study. Multiple plaster-casts of each child during their first year were collected and grouped in before and after cheiloplasty. A previous developed semi-automatic segmentation tool was used to assess the maxillary dimensions and were compared to a healthy control group. Z-scores were calculated to indicate differences between the two populations and if cheiloplasty had influence on maxillary growth. Furthermore, the prediction model created in a previous study was used to indicate differences between predictions and the outcome in UCLP measurements. The analysis was tested for inter- and intra-observer variability. RESULTS: Results show differences in alveolar and palatal shape in UCLP patients in comparison with healthy controls. Prior to cheiloplasty an increased width and alveolar length was observed while the palatal depth was decreased. After cheiloplasty the widths moved towards normal but were still significantly larger. CONCLUSION: Infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate show a wider maxillary arch in comparison with the control population. Initial treatment has most influence on the width of the arch, which decreased towards normal.

Photographic documentation and severity quantification of pectus excavatum through three-dimensional optical surface imaging.

Conventional photography is commonly used to visually document pectus excavatum and objectively assess chest wall changes over time without repeated exposure to ionising radiation, as in our centre since 2008. However, as conventional photography is labour-intensive and lacks three-dimensional (3D) information that is essential in 3D deformities like pectus excavatum, we developed a novel imaging and processing protocol based on 3D optical surface imaging. The objective of this study was to report our developed protocol to visually document pectus excavatum through 3D imaging. We also investigated the absolute agreement of the 3D image- and conventional photography-derived pectus excavatum depth to investigate whether both techniques could be used interchangeably to measure pectus excavatum depth and assess its evolution. The protocol consisted of three consecutive steps: patient positioning and instructions, data acquisition, and data processing. Three-dimensional imaging through the developed protocol was feasible for all 19 participants. The 3D image- and photography-derived pectus excavatum depth demonstrated good to excellent agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.97; 95%-confidence interval: 0.88 to 0.99; p < 0.001). In conclusion, 3D imaging through the developed protocol is a feasible and attractive alternative to document the surface geometry of pectus excavatum and can be used interchangeably with conventional photography to determine pectus severity. Clinical registration number: NCT04185870.