Multidetector CT investigation of the mummy of Rosalia Lombardo (1918–1920)

Panzer, Stephanie; Gill-Frerking, Heather; Rosendahl, Wilfried; Zink, Albert; Piombino‐Mascali, Dario

doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2013.03.009

Cited by 35 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…In general, preserved soft tissues were detectable in their approximate anatomical positions as relatively hyper-dense structures with shrinkage of different degrees as described previously [ 8 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 40 – 43 ]. Checkpoints from category A that mainly represent connective tissue in terms of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, dura mater, and the fibrous anulus of intervertebral discs retained their basic appearance in CT examinations.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In category B it was shown that checkpoints representing parenchymatous organs and hollow organs had clear post-mortem changes observable during CT evaluation. Usually, parenchymatous organs undergo a distinct shrinkage and change of form and structure during the mummification process due to extensive dehydration of the parenchyma [ 8 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 40 – 43 ]. Hollow organs were often collapsed and identifiable only as thin membranes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite its small case size for statistical evaluation, the example used showed significant differences between mummification types. These differences indicate that the embalming methods used for the anthropogenically mummified Sicilian mummies [ 14 , 31 , 32 ] produced an especially high preservation status of soft tissues of the head and spine including external as well as internal structures of the head, and soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system as well as peripheral nerves of the spine. Therefore, the preservation status seemed to depend more upon the topography rather than upon the kind of soft tissue in these cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Checklist and Scoring System for the Assessment of Soft Tissue Preservation in CT Examinations of Human Mummies

et al. 2015

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The purpose of this study was to develop a checklist for standardized assessment of soft tissue preservation in human mummies based on whole-body computed tomography examinations, and to add a scoring system to facilitate quantitative comparison of mummies. Computed tomography examinations of 23 mummies from the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily (17 adults, 6 children; 17 anthropogenically and 6 naturally mummified) and 7 mummies from the crypt of the Dominican Church of the Holy Spirit of Vilnius, Lithuania (5 adults, 2 children; all naturally mummified) were used to develop the checklist following previously published guidelines. The scoring system was developed by assigning equal scores for checkpoints with equivalent quality. The checklist was evaluated by intra- and inter-observer reliability. The finalized checklist was applied to compare the groups of anthropogenically and naturally mummified bodies. The finalized checklist contains 97 checkpoints and was divided into two main categories, “A. Soft Tissues of Head and Musculoskeletal System” and “B. Organs and Organ Systems”, each including various subcategories. The complete checklist had an intra-observer reliability of 98% and an inter-observer reliability of 93%. Statistical comparison revealed significantly higher values in anthropogenically compared to naturally mummified bodies for the total score and for three subcategories. In conclusion, the developed checklist allows for a standardized assessment and documentation of soft tissue preservation in whole-body computed tomography examinations of human mummies. The scoring system facilitates a quantitative comparison of the soft tissue preservation status between single mummies or mummy collections.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Checklist and Scoring System for the Assessment of Soft Tissue Preservation in CT Examinations of Human Mummies

et al. 2015

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“…4). The formula used to preserve her was also of interest because it was one of the earliest examples of the use of formalin for embalming purposes (Panzer et al, 2013a).…”

Section: Working In the Heart Of The Mediterranean Seamentioning

confidence: 99%

Mummy Stories

Piombino‐Mascali

2019

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“…Therefore, pathological or conspicuous radiological findings should be interpreted within the cultural history [4, 7, 12, 25–27]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of neurofibromatosis type 1 in a multi-morbid Inca child mummy: A paleoradiological investigation using computed tomography

et al. 2017

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ObjectiveIn this study, an Inca bundle was examined using computed tomography (CT). The primary aim was to determine the preservation status of bony and soft tissues, the sex, the age at the time of death, possible indicators for disease or even the cause of death, as well as the kind of mummification. A secondary aim was to obtain a brief overview of the wrapping in order to gain additional information on the cultural background.Materials and methodsThe bundle belongs to the Museum of Cultures in Basel, Switzerland, and was bought in Munich, Germany, in 1921. Radiocarbon dating of the superficial textile yielded a calibrated age between 1480 and 1650 AD. The mummy was investigated using multi-slice CT with slice thickness of 0.75 mm and 110 kilovolt. For standardized assessment of soft tissue preservation, a recently developed checklist was applied.ResultsCT revealed the mummy of a seven to nine year old boy with superior preservation of bony and soft tissues allowing detailed assessment. Indicators of neurofibromatosis type 1 (paravertebral and cutaneous neurofibromas, a breast neurofibroma, sphenoid wing dysplasia), Chagas disease (dilatation of the esophagus, stomach, rectum, and large amounts of feces), and lung infection (pleural adherence, calcifications), probably due to tuberculosis, were found. Furthermore, signs of peri-mortem violence (transection of the chest and a defect in the abdominal wall) were detected. CT images revealed a carefully performed wrapping.ConclusionCT examination of the Inca bundle proved to be an important non-destructive examination method. Standardized assessment, especially of the soft tissue structures, allowed for diagnoses of several diseases, indicating a multi-morbid child at the time of death. The careful wrapping pointed to a ceremonial burial. Within the cultural background, the signs of fatal violence were discussed as a possible result of war, murder, accident, or human sacrifice.

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Multidetector CT investigation of the mummy of Rosalia Lombardo (1918–1920)

Cited by 35 publications

References 11 publications

Checklist and Scoring System for the Assessment of Soft Tissue Preservation in CT Examinations of Human Mummies

Checklist and Scoring System for the Assessment of Soft Tissue Preservation in CT Examinations of Human Mummies

Mummy Stories

Evidence of neurofibromatosis type 1 in a multi-morbid Inca child mummy: A paleoradiological investigation using computed tomography

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