title: CT Scan of Thirteen Natural Mummies Dating Back to the XVI-XVIII Centuries: An Emerging Tool to Investigate Living Conditions and Diseases in History.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To correlate the radiologic findings detected with computed tomography scan with anthropological data in 13 naturally mummified bodies discovered during works of recovery of an ancient church in a crypt in Roccapelago, in the Italian Apennines.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a group of about sixty not-intentionally mummified bodies, thirteen were selected to be investigated with volumetric computed tomography (CT). Once CT scan was performed, axial images were processed to gather MPR and Volume Rendering reconstructions. Elaborations of these images provided anthropometric measurements and a non-invasive analysis of the residual anatomical structures. For each body the grade of preservation and the eventual pathological changes were recorded. Furthermore, in order to identify nutritional and occupational markers, radiologic signs of bone tropism and degenerative changes were analysed and graded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mummies included seven females and six males, with an estimated age ranging from 20 to 60 years. The first relevant finding identified was a general low grade of preservation, due to the lack of anatomic tissues different from bones, tendons and dehydrated skin. The low grade of preservation was related to the natural process of mummification. Analysing bone degenerative changes on CT scan, the majority of the bodies had significant occupational markers consisting of arthritis in the spine, lower limbs and shoulders even in young age. Few were the pathological findings identified. Among these, the most relevant included a severe bilateral congenital hip dysplasia and a wide osteolytic lesion involving left orbit and petrous bone that was likely the cause of death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the low grade of preservation of these mummies, the multidisciplinary approach of anthropologists and radiologists allowed several important advances in knowledge for the epidemiology of Roccapelago. First of all, a profile of living conditions was delineated. It included occupational and nutritional conditions. Moreover, identification of some causes of death and, most importantly the definition of general living conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Azienda USL Romagna, Ospedale G.B. Morgagni, Forlì, FC, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Azienda USL Romagna, Ospedale G.B. Morgagni, Forlì, FC, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piciucchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology; Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, RA, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Feletti
authors.affiliation: Radiology Unit; IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo Per lo Studio e Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, FC, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology; Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, RA, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piraccini
authors.affiliation: Department of History and Methods for Conservation of Cultural Heritage of University of Bologna, BO, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minghetti
authors.affiliation: Department of History and Methods for Conservation of Cultural Heritage of University of Bologna, BO, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gruppioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Diseases of the Thorax; Azienda USL Romagna, Ospedale GB Morgagni, Forlì, FC, Italy.|Department of Respiratory Diseases & Allergology, University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Venerino
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Poletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Azienda USL Romagna, Ospedale G.B. Morgagni, Forlì, FC, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertocco
authors.affiliation: Department of History and Methods for Conservation of Cultural Heritage of University of Bologna, BO, Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Traversari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000883:Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004194:Disease / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009106:Mummies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D012924:Social Conditions; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult