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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 20:2000-2003 (11 1999)
© 1999 American Society of Neuroradiology

ARTICLE

Flow Dynamics in a Lethal Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm

Charles W. Kerber^,a, Steven G. Imbesi^a and Kim Knox^a

^a From the Department of Radiology (C.W.K., K.K.), University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA, and the Department of Radiology (S.G.I.), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Summary: We describe and analyze the flow dynamics in replicas of a human anterior communicating artery aneurysm. The replicas were placed in a circuit of pulsating non-Newtonian fluid, and flows were adjusted to replicate human physiologic parameters. Individual slipstreams were opacified with isobaric dyes, and images were recorded on film and by CT/MR angiography. When flow in the afferent (internal carotid) and efferent (anterior and middle cerebral) arteries was bilaterally equal, slipstreams rarely entered the aneurysm. When flow in either the afferent or efferent vessels was not symmetrical, however, slipstreams entered the aneurysm neck, impinged upon the aneurysm dome, and swirled within the aneurysm. Unequal flow in carotid or cerebral systems may be necessary to direct pathologic, fluid slipstreams into an aneurysm.