Prostate metastatic bone cancer in an Egyptian Ptolemaic mummy, a proposed radiological diagnosis (original) (raw)
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Multifocal bone lesions in an ancient Egyptian child mummy
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2018
Ancient mummies are very valuable human remains especially for the study of the evolution of disease. Noninvasive imaging methods such as computed tomography and X-ray are the gold standard to study such precious remains. We report the case of an ancient Egyptian child mummy from the Musée d'art et d'histoire in Geneva, Switzerland with multifocal sclerotic bone lesions affecting the spine and the left hip. The mummy is of unknown provenance, dating to the Roman period with an estimated age of 4-5 years. An infectious origin of the lesions such as tuberculosis seems most likely. Also regarding the time period an infectious etiology is plausible, since there is evidence that tuberculosis was wide spread in ancient Egypt. However, multiple differential diagnoses are discussed, since the evaluation of disease in ancient remains is different to the clinical standards. Medical history and additional invasive investigations are lacking. Also the desiccation and mummification processes lead to alteration of the tissue resulting in anatomico-morphological distortions. Thus our hypothesis can not be proven and multiple differential diagnoses need to be taken into consideration in this rare case. 120 kV tube voltage, 198-475 mA X-ray Tube Current and 0,625 × 0.625-mm detector configuration. For post-processing including multi-planar reconstructions (MPR) and three-dimensional volume rendering (3D VR) reconstructions OsiriX-MD 64 bit (version
Egyptian Mummies and Radiology: A Closer Link
Yearbook of Mummy Studies 2011 (1): 37-44, 2011
Mummification was abolished in the seventh century AD. After that date, mummies began to capture the collective imagination, creating a mysterious fascination that still continues today. From the beginning, the radiological study of Egyptian mummies allowed the collection of medical, as well as anthropological and archaeological, evidence. Shortly after the discovery of X-rays in 1895, Petrie performed one of the first radiological studies of an Egyptian mummy. By the end of the 1970s, computed tomography (CT) scanning permitted more in-depth studies to be carried out. From CT images it is possible to obtain a three-dimensional reconstruction of the mummy which provides important new information, also thanks to virtual endoscopic technique known as 'fly-through'. Moreover, starting from CT data and using graphic software, an image of the face of the mummified individual at the time of death can now be reconstructed. The history of imaging, from the simplest to the most sophisticated technique, allows the appreciation of the importance of radiological studies of Egyptian mummies.
A case of metastatic carcinoma in an Old Kingdom-Period skeleton from Saqqara.
Bone tumours, both benign and malignant, have been identified in a number of ancient Egyptian skeletal remains. Another case comes from Burial 554 uncovered in one of the shaft-tombs in the Old Kingdom necropolis at Saqqara-West. This disturbed burial comprised the skeletal remains of a female, aged 50-60 years at the time of death. Macroscopic examination of the remains revealed an extensive osteolytic lesion in the neurocranium, with osteoblastic reactions at the margin, and further smaller perforations surrounding the lesion. Such lesions perforating both cortical tables are characteristic of metastatic carcinoma, a malignant neoplasm that could spread to bone directly from an adjacent soft tissue tumour, or metastasise from a cancer of internal organ. In the present case, the bone tumour is likely to be a metastasis from carcinoma of the brain; however, a metastasis from carcinoma of the breast should also be considered. The latter has been identified as the most common cause of metastatic bone disease in females, according to modern clinical studies.
Metastatic Prostate Carcinoma from Imperial Rome (1st to 2nd Centuries AD)
Pathobiology : journal of immunopathology, molecular and cellular biology, 2018
This study describes and discusses a rare case of metastatic carcinoma that affected the skeleton of an adult male recovered in the necropolis of Casal Bertone in Rome (Italy). The necropolis, which dates back to the Imperial Age (1st to 2nd century AD), is located near some residential structures and a large place identified as a fullery (fullonica). Anthropological and paleopathological studies of the skeletal remains were performed via careful macroscopic, microscopic, radiological (X-ray and CT scan), and histological investigation. The skeleton displayed mixed osteoclastic and osteoblastic lesions that mainly involved the axial bones, in particular the sternum, the ribs, the spine, and the scapular and pelvic girdles. The anatomical distribution and the destructive and proliferative nature of the lesions suggested diffuse metastases arising from a soft-tissue primary cancer. The age and sex of the individual, as well as radiographic and histological pictures, allowed diagnosis ...
Metastatic prostate carcinoma from Imperial Rome (1st-2nd century A.D.)
2018
This study describes and discusses a rare case of metastatic carcinoma that affected the skeleton of an adult male recovered in the necropolis of Casal Bertone in Rome (Italy). The necropolis, which dates back to the Imperial Age (1st to 2nd century AD), is located near some residential structures and a large place identified as a fullery (fullonica). Methods: Anthropological and paleopathological studies of the skeletal remains were performed via careful macroscopic, microscopic, radiological (X-ray and CT scan), and histological investigation. Results: The skeleton displayed mixed osteoclastic and osteoblastic lesions that mainly involved the axial bones, in particular the sternum, the ribs, the spine, and the scapular and pelvic girdles. The anatomical distribution and the destructive and proliferative nature of the lesions suggested diffuse metastases arising from a soft-tissue primary cancer. The age and sex of the individual, as well as radiographic and histological pictures, allowed diagnosis of an advanced prostate cancer with extensively diffused bone metastases. Conclusion: At present, this is the only case of prostate cancer from the Imperial Age recovered in Rome.
La Radiologia Medica 113(5): 615-26, 2008
A few centuries after the practice of mummification was finally abolished in the seventh century A.D., mummies began to capture the collective imagination, exerting a mysterious fascination that continues to this day. From the beginning, the radiological study of Egyptian mummies permitted the collection not only of medical data but also of anthropological and archaeological evidence. The first radiological study of an Egyptian mummy was performed by Flinders Petrie shortly after the discovery of X-rays in 1895, and since then, radiology has never stopped investigating these special patients. By the end of the 1970s, computed tomography (CT) scanning permitted more in-depth studies to be carried out without requiring the mummies to be removed from their cartonnage. CT images can be used to obtain a three-dimensional reconstruction of the mummy that provides important new information, in part thanks to the virtual endoscopy technique known as "fly through". Moreover, starting from CT data and using sophisticated graphics software, one can reconstruct an image of the face of the mummified individual at the time of his or her death. The history of imaging, from its origins until now, from the simplest to the most sophisticated technique, allows us to appreciate why these studies have been, and still are, fundamental in the study of Egyptian mummies.
Cancer, one of the world's leading causes of death today, remains almost absent relative to other pathological conditions, in the archaeological record, giving rise to the conclusion that the disease is mainly a product of modern living and increased longevity. This paper presents a male, young-adult individual from the archaeological site of Amara West in northern Sudan (c. 1200BC) displaying multiple, mainly osteolytic, lesions on the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, clavicles, scapulae, pelvis, and humeral and femoral heads. Following radiographic, microscopic and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imaging of the lesions, and a consideration of differential diagnoses, a diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma secondary to an unknown soft tissue cancer is suggested. This represents the earliest complete example in the world of a human who suffered metastatic cancer to date. The study further draws its strength from modern analytical techniques applied to differential diagnoses and the fact that it is firmly rooted within a well-documented archaeological and historical context, thus providing new insights into the history and antiquity of the disease as well as its underlying causes and progression.
PLoS ONE, 2014
Cancer, one of the world's leading causes of death today, remains almost absent relative to other pathological conditions, in the archaeological record, giving rise to the conclusion that the disease is mainly a product of modern living and increased longevity. This paper presents a male, young-adult individual from the archaeological site of Amara West in northern Sudan (c. 1200BC) displaying multiple, mainly osteolytic, lesions on the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, clavicles, scapulae, pelvis, and humeral and femoral heads. Following radiographic, microscopic and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imaging of the lesions, and a consideration of differential diagnoses, a diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma secondary to an unknown soft tissue cancer is suggested. This represents the earliest complete example in the world of a human who suffered metastatic cancer to date. The study further draws its strength from modern analytical techniques applied to differential diagnoses and the fact that it is firmly rooted within a well-documented archaeological and historical context, thus providing new insights into the history and antiquity of the disease as well as its underlying causes and progression.
Anthropological Study of the Ancient Egyptian Mummy Based on the Computed Tomography Method
Anthropology, 2018
This work presents the results of complex paleoanthropological research using the method of computed tomography of the ancient Egyptian mummy, stored in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Moscow, Russia) (Inv. No. I,1a 5301). According to the inventory, this is a mummy of Khor-ha, which dates from the VII-IV centuries BC. Over the mummy of Khor-kha lies a grid of blue faience beads, characteristic of the Late period of Egyptian history. For magnetic resonance scanning, Siemens Magnetom Verio magnetic field strength 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used. Further, measurements of the skeleton were made on the frames. It was found that a number of morphological features of the pelvis and skull of the individual was a woman, her age was about 25 years. The skull of the mummy is close to the average size of the horizontal circle and transverse arc. A number of measurements suggest a medium-high skull. The sagittal arc is large for women, that is, the skull is quite elongated. Form of the cranium when viewed from above pentagonic, that is, the greatest width of the skull is shifted back. The facial part of the skull is narrow and relatively high. On the scales of the frontal bone has overgrown metopic suture. Unusually strong for women's development have the upper nuchal line (linea nuchae superior), which represent the massive structure. In vivo body length amounted to about 158 cm. relatively shortened upper extremities and especially the forearm. For this individual is characterized by a pronounced graceful skeleton of hands and feet. Muscle relief is moderately developed in general.