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Head and Skull Base Features of Nine Egyptian Mummies: Evaluation with High-Resolution CT and Reformation Techniques

¹ Both authors: Department of Radiology, Emory University Hospital, 1364 Clifton Rd., N.E., Atlanta, GA 30322.

View larger version (69K): [in a new window]   Fig. 1A. —Male mummy from 21st Dynasty who was older than 18 years at death. Defects of ethmoidal sinuses are depicted in multiplanar and three-dimensional formats. Coronal reformation from CT scan obtained at level of cribriform plate shows destruction of ethmoid air cells and roof of ethmoidal sinuses (arrows) along path of postmortem excerebration.

View larger version (95K): [in a new window]   Fig. 1B. —Male mummy from 21st Dynasty who was older than 18 years at death. Defects of ethmoidal sinuses are depicted in multiplanar and three-dimensional formats. Sagittal CT scan shows transnasal passageway of brain removal (arrow) in plane that allows better conceptualization of location, length, and appearance of defect.

View larger version (148K): [in a new window]   Fig. 1C. —Male mummy from 21st Dynasty who was older than 18 years at death. Defects of ethmoidal sinuses are depicted in multiplanar and three-dimensional formats. Three-dimensional reformation from CT scan of defect of ethmoidal sinuses (arrows) shown in B provides another compelling perspective of this abnormality.

View larger version (76K): [in a new window]   Fig. 2A. —Skull of child mummy from 25th or 26th Dynasty who was approximately 5 years old at death. Sex of child could not be definitively determined. Axial CT image shows amorphous bony fragment (straight arrow) in dependent portion of skull. Also note small amount of resin poured within cranium (r) and depressed fracture of parietal skull (curved arrow), which may have been related to death of this child.

View larger version (130K): [in a new window]   Fig. 2B. —Skull of child mummy from 25th or 26th Dynasty who was approximately 5 years old at death. Sex of child could not be definitively determined. Volume-rendered shaded-surface—display CT image better depicts shape of bony fragment (arrow) seen within posterior calvarium. This fragment appeared to represent portion of sphenoid bone, which was likely displaced during process of brain removal.

View larger version (82K): [in a new window]   Fig. 3. —Cranial contents of male mummy from 19th Dynasty, potentially a pharaoh, who was more than 45 years old at death. Axial CT image of skull shows replacement of brain tissue with resin (embalming fluid), which fills approximately 50% of skull. Two different densities are clearly present within this molten resin mass, suggesting fluid was poured in two different installments or, alternatively, layered into precipitates before drying. Small amount of resin (arrowhead) is also present in right maxillary sinus. Also note near-complete absence of ethmoid air cells, reflecting transethmoidal approach for excerebration.

View larger version (123K): [in a new window]   Fig. 4. —Intracranial contents of female mummy from 21st Dynasty. When left intact, brain (large arrow) typically atrophied and fell within dependent portion of skull. Meningeal linings (small arrow) can also be identified, evidence that no attempt was made to remove intracranial contents.

View larger version (130K): [in a new window]   Fig. 5. —Intracranial contents of female mummy from 21st Dynasty (different specimen from Figure 4) who was between 20 and 40 years old at death. Sagittal CT image reveals atrophied brain (straight arrow) within dependent posterior cranium. Note linen (curved arrow) within oropharynx; linen was likely placed postmortem to help restore facial contours to corpse.

View larger version (96K): [in a new window]   Fig. 6. —Intracranial contents of male mummy from 21st Dynasty who was more than 30 years old at death. Axial CT image reveals markedly atrophied, heterogeneous brain (large arrow) within dependent skull. Small arrow denotes meningeal linings, evidence that no attempt was made to remove intracranial contents.

View larger version (86K): [in a new window]   Fig. 7. —Craniocervical junction of male mummy from 21st Dynasty who was approximately 20-35 years old at death. Coronal reformation from CT scan shows subluxation and dislocation at C1-C2 and C2-C3 levels, which were suspected on axial acquisitions but could be confirmed on high-resolution reformations. This injury likely occurred postmortem.

View larger version (117K): [in a new window]   Fig. 9B. —Mastoid air cells of male mummy, possible pharaoh from 19th Dynasty, who was more than 45 years old at death. Axial CT image of contralateral (left) mastoid and sigmoid plate reveals intact bony architecture.

View larger version (141K): [in a new window]   Fig. 8. —Temporal bone of male mummy from 21st Dynasty who was approximately 20-35 years old at death. Note normal middle and inner ear structures, including malleolar head and body, short process of incus (arrow), and lateral semicircular canal (arrowhead). Only three of nine mummies had such well-preserved temporal bones.

View larger version (92K): [in a new window]   Fig. 9A. —Mastoid air cells of male mummy, possible pharaoh from 19th Dynasty, who was more than 45 years old at death. Axial CT image of right temporal bone shows demineralization of mastoid septations as well as focal dehiscence of mastoid bone and sigmoid plate (thick arrows). Opacification within air cells likely results from intracranial embalming fluid. This pattern of dehiscence likely represents premorbid bone erosion, possibly from mastoiditis. Note defect at occipitomastoid confluence (thin arrow). We speculate this defect may reflect site of treatment attempt.

View larger version (91K): [in a new window]   Fig. 10A. —Dental images of male mummy from 21st Dynasty who was approximately 20-35 years old at death. Sagittal CT image obtained through left mandible shows concavity of cusps of preserved mandibular teeth. These changes are thought to result from sand and grit in diet.

View larger version (181K): [in a new window]   Fig. 10B. —Dental images of male mummy from 21st Dynasty who was approximately 20-35 years old at death. Volume-rendered shaded-surface—display image again shows cusp erosions (arrow).

View larger version (156K): [in a new window]   Fig. 11A. —Probable midface congenital deformity, cleft palate, in child mummy from 25th or 26th Dynasty who was approximately 5 years old at death. Sex of mummy could not be definitively determined. Axial CT image shows bony cleft (straight arrow) in midline. Also note right nasal pledget (curved arrow), either linen or resin, that was placed to restore natural facial contours in this child mummy.

View larger version (126K): [in a new window]   Fig. 11B. —Probable midface congenital deformity, cleft palate, in child mummy from 25th or 26th Dynasty who was approximately 5 years old at death. Sex of mummy could not be definitively determined. Shaded-surface—display reformation shows cleft.

View larger version (148K): [in a new window]   Fig. 12. —Orbital structures in female mummy from 21st Dynasty who was approximately 20-40 years old at death. Axial CT image shows atrophied and degenerated orbital contents including extraocular muscles, fascia, and other orbital structures (arrows).

View larger version (135K): [in a new window]   Fig. 13. —Orbital structures in male mummy from Roman period who was more than 30 years old at death. Axial CT image shows collapsed globes and lenses (arrow).

View larger version (137K): [in a new window]   Fig. 14. —Facial features of child mummy from 25th or 26th Dynasty who was approximately 2 years old at death. Sex of infant could not be determined. Volume-rendered surface—display reformation shows wad of linen (arrowhead) over left nares. This detail was better appreciated on three-dimensional images, which can provide Egyptologists with additional information about mummification techniques.

View larger version (203K): [in a new window]   Fig. 15. —Facial features of female mummy from 21st Dynasty who was more than 35 years old at death. Volume-rendered shaded-surface—display image eerily displays sunken orbits, abnormal facial contours, and fractured teeth that closely replicate this female mummy's true appearance. Reformations are complementary to direct axial acquisitions and reveal detail that could only be imagined otherwise.

View larger version (174K): [in a new window]   Fig. 16. —Soft-tissue facial structures in male mummy, possible 19th Dynasty royalty, who was more than 45 years old at death. Volume-rendered shaded-surface—display reformation shows absence of large portion of superior cartilaginous pinna.

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