J.J. Schneiders

Generalized versus patient-specific inflow boundary conditions in computational fluid dynamics simulations of cerebral aneurysmal hemodynamics.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Attempts have been made to associate intracranial aneurysmal hemodynamics with aneurysm growth and rupture status. Hemodynamics in aneurysms is traditionally determined with computational fluid dynamics by using generalized inflow boundary conditions in a parent artery. Recently, patient-specific inflow boundary conditions are being implemented more frequently. Our purpose was to compare intracranial aneurysm hemodynamics based on generalized versus patient-specific inflow boundary conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 36 patients, geometric models of aneurysms were determined by using 3D rotational angiography. 2D phase-contrast MR imaging velocity measurements of the parent artery were performed. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed twice: once by using patient-specific phase-contrast MR imaging velocity profiles and once by using generalized Womersley profiles as inflow boundary conditions. Resulting mean and maximum wall shear stress and oscillatory shear index values were analyzed, and hemodynamic characteristics were qualitatively compared. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis showed statistically significant differences for mean and maximum wall shear stress values between both inflow boundary conditions (P < .001). Qualitative assessment of hemodynamic characteristics showed differences in 21 cases: high wall shear stress location (n = 8), deflection location (n = 3), lobulation wall shear stress (n = 12), and/or vortex and inflow jet stability (n = 9). The latter showed more instability for the generalized inflow boundary conditions in 7 of 9 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using generalized and patient-specific inflow boundary conditions for computational fluid dynamics results in different wall shear stress magnitudes and hemodynamic characteristics. Generalized inflow boundary conditions result in more vortices and inflow jet instabilities. This study emphasizes the necessity of patient-specific inflow boundary conditions for calculation of hemodynamics in cerebral aneurysms by using computational fluid dynamics techniques.

Wall shear stress estimated with phase contrast MRI in an in vitro and in vivo intracranial aneurysm

To evaluate wall shear stress (WSS) estimations in an in vitro and in vivo intracranial aneurysm, WSS was estimated from phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC‐MRI) and compared with computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

A Flow-Diverting Stent Is Not a Pressure-Diverting Stent

SUMMARY: The approach for treatment of large and fusiform intracranial aneurysms has evolved from stent-assisted coiling to treatment with flow-diverting stents. The treatment results for these stents are promising; however, early postprocedural aneurysm rupture has been described. The exact cause of rupture is unknown but might be related to intra-aneurysmal flow and pressure changes. We measured intra-aneurysmal pressure before, during, and after placement of a flow-diverting stent by using a dual-sensor guidewire. The pressure inside the aneurysm momentarily decreased during placement but was restored to baseline values within minutes. The flow-diverting stent does not seem to protect the aneurysm from the stress induced by pressure or pressure changes within the lumen.

Rupture-Associated Changes of Cerebral Aneurysm Geometry: High-Resolution 3D Imaging before and after Rupture

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Comparisons of geometric data of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms may yield risk factors for rupture. Data on changes of geometric measures associated with rupture are, however, sparse, because patients with ruptured aneurysms rarely have undergone previous imaging of the intracranial vasculature. We had the opportunity to assess 3D geometric differences of aneurysms before and after rupture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible differences between prerupture and postrupture imaging of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using high-quality 3D image data, we generated 3D geometric models before and after rupture and compared these for changes in aneurysm volume and displacement. A neuroradiologist qualitatively assessed aneurysm shape change, the presence of perianeurysmal hematoma, and subsequent mass effect exerted on aneurysm and parent vessels. RESULTS: Aneurysm volume was larger in the postrupture imaging in 7 of 9 aneurysms, with a median increase of 38% and an average increase of 137%. Three aneurysms had new lobulations on postrupture imaging; 2 other aneurysms were displaced up to 5 mm and had changed in geometry due to perianeurysmal hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Geometric comparisons of aneurysms before and after rupture show a large volume increase, origination of lobulations, and displacement due to perianeurysmal hematoma. Geometric and hemodynamic comparison of series of unruptured and ruptured aneurysms in the search for rupture-risk-related factors should be interpreted with caution.

Intracranial aneurysm neck size overestimation with 3D rotational angiography: the impact on intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics simulated with computational fluid dynamics.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 3DRA is considered the reference standard for the assessment of intracranial aneurysm morphology. However, it has been shown that 3DRA may overestimate neck size compared with 2D DSA. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of neck size overestimation with 3DRA on intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a series of 20 patients, 20 intracranial aneurysms were analyzed for aneurysm neck size overestimation with 3DRA compared with 2D DSA. 3DRA-derived vascular models were modified to agree with 2D DSA. Geometric and hemodynamic variables of the original and modified vascular models were compared. RESULTS: In 8 of the 20 evaluated cases, 3DRA-derived aneurysm models showed neck size overestimation compared with 2D DSA images. The average neck diameter reduction after modification was 19%, which was, on average, 0.85 mm (±0.32 mm). Modification of the neck resulted in differences in location of inflow jet (2/8), impingement zone (3/8), and low WSS area (4/8). In 1 case, the maximal WSS increased by 98% after modification. The change of impingement zone location resulted in a different classification of the impingement zone region in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Neck size overestimation on 3DRA can have non-negligible consequences for hemodynamic features determined with CFD.

3D Cine Phase-Contrast MRI at 3T in Intracranial Aneurysms Compared with Patient-Specific Computational Fluid Dynamics

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: CFD has been proved valuable for simulating blood flow in intracranial aneurysms, which may add to better rupture risk assessment. However, CFD has drawbacks such as the sensitivity to assumptions needed for the model, which may hinder its clinical implementation. 3D PC-MR imaging is a technique that enables measurements of blood flow. The purpose of this study was to compare flow patterns on the basis of 3D PC-MR imaging with CFD estimates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D PC-MR imaging was performed in 8 intracranial aneurysms. Two sets of patient-specific inflow boundaries for CFD were obtained from a separate 2D PC-MR imaging sequence (2D CFD) and from the 3D PC-MR imaging (3D CFD) data. 3D PC-MR imaging and CFD were compared by calculation of the differences between velocity vector magnitudes and angles. Differences in flow patterns expressed as the presence and strengths of vortices were determined by calculation of singular flow energy. RESULTS: In systole, flow features such as vortex patterns were similar. In diastole, 3D PC-MR imaging measurements appeared inconsistent due to low velocity-to-noise ratios. The relative difference in velocity magnitude was 67.6 ± 51.4% and 27.1 ± 24.9% in systole and 33.7 ± 21.5% and 17.7 ± 10.2% in diastole for 2D CFD and 3D CFD, respectively. For singular energy, this was reduced to 15.5 ± 13.9% at systole and 19.4 ± 17.6% at diastole (2D CFD). CONCLUSIONS: In systole, good agreement between 3D PC-MR imaging and CFD on flow-pattern visualization and singular-energy calculation was found. In diastole, flow patterns of 3D PC-MR imaging differed from those obtained from CFD due to low velocity-to-noise ratios.

Comparison of Phase-Contrast MR Imaging and Endovascular Sonography for Intracranial Blood Flow Velocity Measurements

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Local hemodynamic information may help to stratify rupture risk of cerebral aneurysms. Patient-specific modeling of cerebral hemodynamics requires accurate data on BFV in perianeurysmal arteries as boundary conditions for CFD. The aim was to compare the BFV measured with PC-MR imaging with that obtained by using intra-arterial Doppler sonography and to determine interpatient variation in intracranial BFV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms, BFV was measured in the cavernous ICA with PC-MR imaging in conscious patients before treatment, and measured by using an intra-arterial Doppler sonography wire when the patient was anesthetized with either propofol (6 patients) or sevoflurane (4 patients). RESULTS: Both techniques identified a pulsatile blood flow pattern in cerebral arteries. PSV differed >50 cm/s between patients. A mean velocity of 41.3 cm/s (95% CI, 39.3–43.3) was measured with PC-MR imaging. With intra-arterial Doppler sonography, a mean velocity of 29.3 cm/s (95% CI, 25.8–32.8) was measured with the patient under propofol-based intravenous anesthesia. In patients under sevoflurane-based inhaled anesthesia, a mean velocity of 44.9 cm/s (95% CI, 40.6–49.3) was measured. CONCLUSIONS: We showed large differences in BFV between patients, emphasizing the importance of using patient-specific hemodynamic boundary conditions in CFD. PC-MR imaging measurements of BFV in conscious patients were comparable with those obtained with the intra-arterial Doppler sonography when the patient was anesthetized with a sevoflurane-based inhaled anesthetic.

Additional value of intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics in discriminating ruptured versus unruptured intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemodynamics are thought to play an important role in the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. We tested whether hemodynamics, determined from computational fluid dynamics models, have additional value in discriminating ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Such discriminative power could provide better prediction models for rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on patients eligible for endovascular treatment, including 55 ruptured and 62 unruptured aneurysms. Association with rupture status was tested for location, aneurysm type, and 4 geometric and 10 hemodynamic parameters. Patient-specific spatiotemporal velocities measured with phase-contrast MR imaging were used as inflow conditions for computational fluid dynamics. To assess the additional value of hemodynamic parameters, we performed 1 univariate and 2 multivariate analyses: 1 traditional model including only location and geometry and 1 advanced model that included patient-specific hemodynamic parameters. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, high-risk locations (anterior cerebral arteries, posterior communicating artery, and posterior circulation), daughter sacs, unstable inflow jets, impingements at the aneurysm body, and unstable complex flow patterns were significantly present more often in ruptured aneurysms. In both multivariate analyses, only the high-risk location (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.77–8.68) and the presence of daughter sacs (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.25–6.25) remained as significant independent determinants. CONCLUSIONS: In this study population of patients eligible for endovascular treatment, we found no independent additional value of aneurysmal hemodynamics in discriminating rupture status, despite high univariate associations. Only traditional parameters (high-risk location and the presence of daughter sacs) were independently associated with ruptured aneurysms.

Intracranial Blood-Flow Velocity and Pressure Measurements Using an Intra-Arterial Dual-Sensor Guidewire

SUMMARY: Hemodynamics is thought to play a role in the growth and rupture of intracranial aneurysms. In 4 patients, we obtained local pressure and BFV by using a dual-sensor pressure and Doppler velocity wire within and in vessels surrounding unruptured aneurysms. Local BFVs can serve as boundary conditions for computational fluid dynamics, whereas pressure recordings provide direct information on the mechanical load imposed on the aneurysm. Both measurements may thus add to patient-specific rupture-risk assessment.

k - t BLAST and SENSE accelerated time-resolved three-dimensional phase contrast MRI in an intracranial aneurysm

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the performance of k-t BLAST (Broad-use Linear Acquisition Speed-up Technique) accelerated time-resolved 3D PC-MRI compared to SENSE (SENSitivity Encoding) acceleration in an in vitro and in vivo intracranial aneurysm.Materials and methodsNon-accelerated, SENSE and k-t BLAST accelerated time-resolved 3D PC-MRI measurements were performed in vivo and in vitro. We analysed the consequences of various temporal resolutions in vitro.ResultsBoth in vitro and in vivo measurements showed that the main effect of k-t BLAST was underestimation of velocity during systole. In the phantom, temporal blurring decreased with increasing temporal resolution. Quantification of the differences between the non-accelerated and accelerated measurements confirmed that in systole SENSE performed better than k-t BLAST in terms of mean velocity magnitude. In both in vitro and in vivo measurements, k-t BLAST had higher SNR compared to SENSE. Qualitative comparison between measurements showed good similarity.ConclusionComparison with SENSE revealed temporal blurring effects in k-t BLAST accelerated measurements.