Intracranial aneurysms are pathological dilatations which endanger people's health. Hemodynamics is thought to be an important factor in the pathogenesis and treatment of aneurysms. To date, the bulk of investigations into hemodynamics have been conducted by making use of mathematically idealized models for rigid aneurysms and associated arteries. However the walls of aneurysms and associated arteries are elastic in vivo. This study shows the differences of the simulation between elastic and rigid wall models. The numerical simulation of elastic aneurysm model is made from a representative Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) image and calculated with CFD software to get the wall deformation and the velocity field. Then the results are analyzed. By comparing the simulation results of the two models from their velocity vectors and shear stress distribution, many differences can be noted. The main difference exists in the distribution of velocity magnitude at some sections, with one outlet having obviously off-center distribution for the elastic wall model. The currents of the distribution of wall shear stress along the wall of aneurysm simulated in rigid and elastic wall models were similar. But there were apparent differences between the two models on the values of wall shear stress especially at the neck of aneurysm. The off-center distribution of velocity magnitude affects the distribution of wall shear stress and the exchange of substance through the wall. The analysis demonstrated clearly that the results of 2-D elastic numerical simulation were in good agreement with the clinical and pathological practice. The results of this study play an important role in the formation, growth, rupture and prognosis of an aneurysm on clinic application.
