Abstract: Objective To simulate the hemodynamic feature in cerebral bridging veins (BVs), in order to provide a morphologic basis for the pathogenesis explanation and imaging diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Methods Totally 6 human cadavers (12 sides) were examined in this study. Each head of the cadavers was injected with blue-coloured latex via the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and internal jugular veins. The diamter and the angle of BVs entering SSS were measured. Based on the data of cadavers and computational fluid dynamics software pack, the hemodynamic models were established. The wall shear stress (WSS) was carefully studied and compared between different models. Results The total of 137 BVs formed two clusters along the SSS: anterior group and posterior group. Compared with anterior group BVs, the diameter of posterior group BVs was large, and the angle was smaller. In 137 models，when the diameter of a BV was more than 1.2mm, and the angle was between 65 and 105 degree, the local WSS decreased in the downstream wall of SSS. When the diameter of a BV was more than 1.2mm, and the angle was less than 65 degree, the local WSS decreased in the downstream wall of SSS and the upstream wall of BVs. The minimum WSS in BVs was 63% of the minimum WSS in SSS. Compared with the anterior group BVs, the minimum WSS in the wall of posterior group BVs was samller, and the distance from the minimum WSS to the dural entrance was longer. Conclusion CVT occurs easily when the diamter of a BV is more than 1.2mm and the angle is less than 65 degree. The embolus forms early in the upstream wall of BVs entering the posterior part of SSS.

Key words: Cerebral bridging vein, Cerebral venous thrombosis, Wall shear stress, Microanatomy, Computational fluid dynamics, Human