TY - JOUR
T1 - Neural tube defect in a 4000-year-old Egyptian infant mummy
T2 - A case of meningocele from the museum of anthropology and ethnography of Turin (Italy)
AU - Boano, Rosa
AU - Fulcheri, Ezio
AU - Martina, Maria Cristina
AU - Ferraris, Andrea
AU - Grilletto, Renato
AU - Cremo, Rossana
AU - Cesarani, Federico
AU - Gandini, Giovanni
AU - Massa, Emma Rabino
PY - 2009/11
Y1 - 2009/11
N2 - This paper reports a paleopathological study of a severe neural tube defect in an ancient mummy, more specifically, a meningocele in an Egyptian infant from the XI dynasty (2100-1955 B.C.). This is one of the most ancient cases of meningocele in mummified human remains described in paleopathological literature. Prehistoric and early historic examples of severe congenital defects of the vertebral column and neural tube are rare, because of the precarious preservation conditions of ancient human remains. Further, since the majority are only the skeletal remains, paleopathological and paleoepidemiological analysis based on the observation of bones is even more difficult. Hence, it is not easy to investigate this disease in the past in all its complexities and true diffusion. The case presented here is peculiar, since it concerns a mummy with almost all soft tissues preserved, thus allowing us to describe the defect in an infant. Only targeted, minimally invasive examinations were performed. An anthropological investigation with helical CT scan and histological analysis was used to diagnose the defect and identify post-mortem transformation processes. The analyses confirmed the diagnosis of meningocele in an approximately six-month-old infant.
AB - This paper reports a paleopathological study of a severe neural tube defect in an ancient mummy, more specifically, a meningocele in an Egyptian infant from the XI dynasty (2100-1955 B.C.). This is one of the most ancient cases of meningocele in mummified human remains described in paleopathological literature. Prehistoric and early historic examples of severe congenital defects of the vertebral column and neural tube are rare, because of the precarious preservation conditions of ancient human remains. Further, since the majority are only the skeletal remains, paleopathological and paleoepidemiological analysis based on the observation of bones is even more difficult. Hence, it is not easy to investigate this disease in the past in all its complexities and true diffusion. The case presented here is peculiar, since it concerns a mummy with almost all soft tissues preserved, thus allowing us to describe the defect in an infant. Only targeted, minimally invasive examinations were performed. An anthropological investigation with helical CT scan and histological analysis was used to diagnose the defect and identify post-mortem transformation processes. The analyses confirmed the diagnosis of meningocele in an approximately six-month-old infant.
KW - CT scan
KW - Histological analysis
KW - Meningocele
KW - Mummy
KW - Paleopathology
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ejpn.2008.11.007
DO - 10.1016/j.ejpn.2008.11.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 19136285
AN - SCOPUS:70350752400
VL - 13
SP - 481
EP - 487
JO - European Journal of Paediatric Neurology
JF - European Journal of Paediatric Neurology
SN - 1090-3798
IS - 6
ER -