Structural Mechanic Characteristics of Stable Cerebral Aneurysms

Abstract

Stable cerebral aneurysms were analyzed with Fluid-Structure Interaction simulations identifying scenarios in the structural mechanic behavior. Data of nineteen patients were obtained from one hospital. Medical imaging data were provided as digital subtraction angiography, which was transferred into geometric format for the simulations including fluid mechanics of the blood flow and structural mechanics of the wall. For data evaluation solely Mises stress values from the structural results were taken. Two scenarios were identified in the wall stress distribution of stable cerebral aneurysms. In one scenario two distinct high stress regions can be identified on the sides of the aneurysms, whereas in the second scenario high stress regions can be located at arbitrary positions on the aneurysm. Additionally, statistical evaluation shows significant difference (p value = 0.0014) in Mises stress between the two scenarios. Difference in aneurysm size is not statistically significant. This way, wall stress may be taken as indicator for different behavior patterns of stable aneurysms regarding a possible transition away from regular patterns.