Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
A Volumetric Method for Quantification of Cerebral Vasospasm in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: July 28, 2018
Numerical simulations of the blood flow in the patient-specific arterial cerebral circle region
Piotr Reorowicz1, Damian Obidowski1, Przemyslaw Klosinski1
1Institute of Turbomachinery, Lodz University of Technology, Medical Apparatus Division, 219/223 Wolczanska Str., 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
Insights
Computational fluid dynamics simulations of the Circle of Willis (CoW) reveal insights into cerebral blood flow variations. This tool can aid physicians in diagnosing diverse arterial structures and patient ages.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- The Circle of Willis (CoW) is a critical arterial network in the brain, but anatomical variations are common, affecting cerebral blood distribution.
- Understanding blood flow dynamics within the CoW is essential for diagnosing neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebral blood flow phenomena in patient-specific Circle of Willis anatomies using 3D simulations.
- To assess the utility of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in analyzing CoW blood flow and supporting clinical diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Reconstruction of three patient-specific CoW models from CT images, extending from the aorta to include major supplying arteries.
- Performance of 3D time-varying CFD simulations to analyze blood flow patterns.
- Comparison of simulation results with ultrasound-measured velocity values.
Main Results:
- Simulations provided high-resolution, time-varying data on cerebral blood flow within diverse CoW anatomies.
- Demonstrated that the right anterior artery can be supplied by the left internal carotid artery via the anterior communicating artery in certain cases.
- Validated simulation accuracy by comparing with ultrasound velocity measurements.
Conclusions:
- Computational fluid dynamics is a valuable tool for high-resolution analysis of cerebral blood flow in the Circle of Willis.
- CFD simulations can support physicians in diagnosing patients with varying ages and complex arterial structures of the CoW.
- The study highlights the potential of advanced modeling techniques to improve understanding of cerebrovascular hemodynamics.
Abstract:
The Cerebral Circle Region, also known as the Circle of Willis (CoW), is a loop of arteries that form arterial connections between supply arteries to distribute blood throughout the cerebral mass. Among the population, only 25% to 50% have a complete system of arteries forming the CoW. 3D time-varying simulations for three different patient-specific artery anatomies of CoW were performed in order to gain a better insight into the phenomena existing in the cerebral blood flow. The models reconstructed on the basis of computer tomography images start from the aorta and include the largest arteries that supply the CoW and the arteries of CoW. Velocity values measured during the ultrasound examination have been compared with the results of simulations. It is shown that the flow in the right anterior artery in some cases may be supplied from the left internal carotid artery via the anterior communicating artery. The investigations conducted show that the computational fluid dynamic tool, which provides high resolution in both time and space domains, can be used to support physicians in diagnosing patients of different ages and various anatomical arterial structures.
More Related Videos
09:36A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
Published on: August 12, 2025
05:23Author Spotlight: Noninvasive Cerebral Blood Flow Determination in Human Functional Brain Region for Diagnosis of Neurological Disorders
Published on: May 31, 2024
