Abstract
In this thesis we simulate the medical condition known as hydrocephalus. We do this by using the Finite Element Method (FEM), and running simulations of linear elasticity on a mesh obtained from MRI images of the brain.
Hydrocephalus is a medical condition characterized by enlarged ventricles in the brain. It is perhaps most well known in infants, where the then flexible skull is enlarged. However, when it occurs in adults, the skull is rigid, which leads to deformations in the brain tissue.
The pressure inside of the skull can be described as a pulsatile pressure. This is caused by the blood flow, as the blood vessels inside the brain increase in size when the blood is pumping out, leading to less space available for the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue. We analyze patient-specific pressure measures to make an estimate of how the pulsatile pressure is through a cardiac cycle. We then use this pulsatile pressure to define
In the final chapter, we consider strengths and weaknesses with our model, as well as possible further work in the field.