Jang Hun Kim1,2, Huan Han3, Young-June Moon3, Sangil Suh4, Taek-Hyun Kwon2, Jong Hyun Kim2, Kyuha Chong2, Won-Ki Yoon2. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Computational Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Radiology, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thin-walled regions (TWRs) of aneurysm surfaces observed in microscopic surgery are thought to be vulnerable areas for growth and rupture of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). OBJECTIVE: To identify hemodynamic features of TWRs of aneurysms by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses of unruptured middle cerebral artery bifurcation (MCAB) aneurysms. METHODS: Nine patients with 11 MCAB aneurysms were enrolled, and their TWRs were identified. CFD analysis was performed using 3 parameters: pressure, wall shear stress (WSS), and WSS divergence (WSSD). Each parameter was evaluated for its correspondence with TWR. RESULTS: Among 11 aneurysms, 15 TWRs were identified. Corresponding matches with CFD parameters (pressure, WSS, and WSSD) were 73.33, 46.67, and 86.67%, respectively. CONCLUSION: WSSD, a hemodynamic parameter that accounts for both magnitude and directionality of WSS, showed the highest correspondence. High WSSD might correspond with TWR of intracranial aneurysms, which are likely high-risk areas for rupture.
BACKGROUND: Thin-walled regions (TWRs) of aneurysm surfaces observed in microscopic surgery are thought to be vulnerable areas for growth and rupture of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). OBJECTIVE: To identify hemodynamic features of TWRs of aneurysms by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses of unruptured middle cerebral artery bifurcation (MCAB) aneurysms. METHODS: Nine patients with 11 MCAB aneurysms were enrolled, and their TWRs were identified. CFD analysis was performed using 3 parameters: pressure, wall shear stress (WSS), and WSS divergence (WSSD). Each parameter was evaluated for its correspondence with TWR. RESULTS: Among 11 aneurysms, 15 TWRs were identified. Corresponding matches with CFD parameters (pressure, WSS, and WSSD) were 73.33, 46.67, and 86.67%, respectively. CONCLUSION: WSSD, a hemodynamic parameter that accounts for both magnitude and directionality of WSS, showed the highest correspondence. High WSSD might correspond with TWR of intracranial aneurysms, which are likely high-risk areas for rupture.