Computational Fluid Dynamics: Comparison of Prototype and Commercial Solutions for Intracranial Aneurysms with Different Entrance Length

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of entrance length into computational fluid dynamics (CFD), for distal internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. Materials and Methods Two different solutions were used: Siemens prototype software (SW; prototype, not commercially available) and the package of commercial CFD SW (commercials). Twelve models of aneurysm at the distal ICA were obtained from three dimensional angiography. The original models had longer entrance lengths from the cervical segment of ICA, whereas intracranial (IC) model lengths were shorter from the proximal cavernous ICA. Results The prototype showed faster flow than the commercial CFD, when comparing the maximum value on a velocity scale. Visualization of pathline within the aneurysm sac was seen well by the prototype, except one original model which showed a pathline leak. With IC models, both tools showed high correlation with the flow velocity. Conclusion We believe that the CFD might be influenced by different solvers and entrance length of distal ICA aneurysm models.

Keywords

• hemodynamics
• cerebral angiography
• intracranial aneurysm