The death of Alexander the Great--a spinal twist of fate.
Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C. from an unknown cause. Physical depictions of this historical figure reveal the likelihood of a cervical scoliotic deformity. This is substantiated with the medical history and is correlated with his untimely death. For the first time, it is concluded that Alexander's death may have ensued from the sequelae of congenital scoliotic syndrome.
Ashrafian
Hutan
H
Spinal Deformity and Surgery Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK. ashrafian@email.com
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000266:history*; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005197:Famous Persons; D000076145:Greece, Ancient; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000266:history*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000266:history*; D013577:Syndrome