COMPUTER-SIMULATION HELPS PREDICT CEREBRAL ANEURYSMS

Researchers have recently proven the ability of computer simulation to predict the behaviour of cerebral aneurysms. Accurately simulating th e flow of blood within the aneurysm helps researchers to predict the g rowth pattern of the aneurysm and the danger of rupturing. As this too l is further developed into a practical diagnostic tool, it is expecte d to dramatically improve the ability of surgeons to weigh the results of alternate treatment methods. The simulation method used, computati onal fluid dynamics (CFD), provides much more information than current diagnostic tools, including particularly sheer stress levels at vario us stages of the cardiac cycle, which help to pinpoint areas of aneury sm formation and growth.