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DOI:10.2214/AJR.07.2087
AJR 2007; 189:W105-W110
© American Roentgen Ray Society

Original Research

MRI and Multinuclear MR Spectroscopy of 3,200-Year-Old Egyptian Mummy Brain

Stephen J. Karlik1, Robert Bartha2, Karen Kennedy1 and Rethy Chhem1

1 Paleoradiology Research Unit, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Center, University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd., London, ON N6A 5A5, Canada.
2 Imaging Research Laboratory, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.

OBJECTIVE. Our objective was to present the MR and MR spectroscopy imaging findings of a 3,200-year-old preserved brain from an Egyptian mummy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. In this work, the morphology of the intact specimen was examined by MRI at 1.5 T. Chemistry of the intact specimens was studied by proton spectroscopy at 1.5 T and sodium nuclear MR (NMR) spectroscopy at 4.0 T. Biopsies from the temporal lobes were analyzed by proton and phosphorus NMR spectroscopy (14 T) or rehydrated and stained for paleohistologic study.

RESULTS. MRI showed a heterogeneous brain with convolutions, gyri, and air pockets. Paleohistology showed a uniform, disorganized cerebral substance with numerous eosinophilic structures and argentophilic granules. Spectroscopic studies identified bound sodium ions in the specimen and phosphate and free fatty acids in extracts.

CONCLUSION. MR techniques are a nondestructive method for the analysis of adipocere observed in a preserved mummy's brain.

Keywords: adipocere • Egypt • MRI • mummy • NMR spectroscopy


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