Finite-element simulation of ethanol diffusion in nonencapsulated subdural hematomas

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OBJECTIVE

Determination of the diffusion regularities of ethanol in nonencapsulated subdural hematomas.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The finite-element modelling of the ethanol’s concentration field for the non-lethal nonencapsulated subdural hematoma using the ELCUT 6.5 application was carried out.

RESULTS

A two-dimensional finite-element concentration field model of a low volume subdural hematoma, taking into account the different boundary conditions of ethanol diffusion, has been developed. It has been proven that the diffusion rate of ethanol is determined by the impact of its initial concentration field, the level of ethanolemia, the geometry of hematoma, as well as the diffusion properties of bounding with hematoma tissues. The possibility of ethanol diffusion in the content of a nonalcoholic hematoma from bounding tissues was shown. The central region of hematoma has been found to have the highest ethanol concentration stability. If the diffusion’s boundary conditions are not identical, the indicated area shifts to the surface of hematoma with a lower density of diffusion’s flow.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended to interpret the postmortem concentration of ethanol in the most diffusion-resistant region of hematoma as the minimum limit of ethanolemia during the hematoma formation.

Keywords:

diffusion of ethanol

ethanol concentration

subdural hematoma

finite-element method

mathematical modeling

Authors:

Nedugov G.V.

Samara State Medical University

ORCID: 0000-0002-7380-3766

Received:

05.06.2023

Accepted:

06.07.2023

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Receiver 05.06.2023

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