93 Modern Imaging and Endoscopic Biopsy Techniques in Egyptian Mummies Derek N. H. Notman1 Joseph Tashjian2 Arthur C. Aufderheide3 Oliver W. Cass4 Orrin C. Shane, lll Thomas H. Berquist6 Joel E. Gray6 Eugene Gedgaudas1 Received May 6. 1985; accepted after revision September 9, 1985. 1 Department of Radiology, University of Minne- sota Medical School, Box 382 Mayo Building, 420 Delaware St. SE., Minneapolis, MN 55455. Ad- dress reprint requests to D. N. H. Notman. 2 Department of Radiology. St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, St. Paul, MN 55101. 3 Department of Pathology and Laboratory So- ences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Du- luth, MN 55812. 4 Department of Gastroenterology, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 5 415. 5 Curator for Archaeology, Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55101. 6 Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905. AJR 146:93-96, January 1986 0361-803X/86/1461 -0093 C American Roentgen Ray Society Egyptian mummies have been popular subjects of radiographic investigation since 1896. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have recently been added to the growing list of modem techniques used to study these relics. The Minnesota Mummy Project was organized to examine four well preserved Egyptian mummies dating from the XVIlIth (1575-1308 B.C.) and XXVth (715-663 B.C.) Dynasties. Plain radiographs and CT scans were obtained on all specimens. One individual was selected for additional endoscopic and microscopic correlation with CT findings in the thoracic cavity. The collapsed heart was identified by CT. A percutaneous biopsy of the heart was then performed with a flexible fiberoptic endoscope, passed through a small hole drilled into the chest wall. Microscopy of prepared ventricular specimens revealed striated muscle fibers consistent with myocardium. These results emphasize the utility of CT as a noninvasive paleoradiologic tool. Another mummy was examined by MRI to search for minute quantities of residual moisture possibly trapped within the desiccated tissues. Only a free-induction-decay signal could be obtained, but this was insufficient to generate an image. Thus, it appears that present MRI is not suitable for the paleo- pathologic investigation of dehydrated structures. The mummies of ancient Egypt have long been fascinating subjects of scientific research and debate. The first radiograph of mummified Egyptian remains was taken by KOnig in March 1 896, only 3 months after Roentgen’s historic discovery [1 ].Since then, conventional radiography has contributed greatly to the paleopath- ologic record [2-1 0]. With the emergence of CT and MRI during the last decade, new imaging techniques have become available for paleoradiologic research. CT has proved to be exceptionally well suited for studying the fragile, wrapped figures of Egyptian mummies, especially those still contained within their decorated plas- terlike shells, or cartonnages [1 1-13]. MRI, on the other hand, was only recently performed on dehydrated specimens, without success. Egyptian embalmers practiced the elaborate art of mummification for more than three millennia. During the dynasties of the New Kingdom (1 600-1 085 B.C.) and later periods, it was common for embalmers to remove, cleanse, and dry the internal organs (except the heart) and to return them in individual linen bundles into the abdominal cavity, which was then sealed with a thick coating of molten resin. Such bundles are often encountered on plain radiographs and tend to obscure skeletal details, a problem which was finally solved by CT’s cross-sectional imaging. The heart was considered to be the sacred residence of the soul and had to be presented at death to the gods forjudgment (the “Weighing ofthe Heart” ceremony) before the individual would be allowed to enter the afterlife. Therefore, the heart was left in the chest cavity [14-21]. Materials and Methods The Minnesota Mummy Project was established in 1983 to examine the four Egyptian mummies on display in the Twin Cities. All mummies were radiographed in anteroposterior Downloaded from www.ajronline.org by 3.235.21.12 on 05/30/20 from IP address 3.235.21.12. Copyright ARRS. For personal use only; all rights reserved