Diagnosis by consensus: A case study in the importance of interdisciplinary interpretation of mummified remains.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2019;
24:144-153. [PMID:
30388585 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.10.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study is to demonstrate the need for interdisciplinary consensus and inclusion of mummy radiology specialists in analyses of mummified remains.
MATERIALS
This study uses paleoimaging data for an ancient Egyptian mummy at the Museum of Human Anatomy "Filippo Civinini".
METHODS
This study demonstrates the benefit of evaluation of mummified remains in a multi-disciplinary interpretive team.
RESULTS
The authors propose a diagnosis of DISH, additional signs of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, and lumbarisation of S1.
CONCLUSIONS
The process of diagnosis by consensus is essential to the analysis of mummified remains, which are complexly altered through natural and anthropogenic processes in the millennia subsequent to the individual's death.
SIGNIFICANCE
Mummy paleoimaging and paleopathology lacks a unifying set of standards. We present an example of the value to be found in the multi-disciplinary diagnosis by consensus approach.
LIMITATIONS
We discuss numerous challenges to accurate and meaningful interpretation that radiography of mummified remains pose.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
While the authors do not seek to impose any single set of standards, we do recommend a larger discussion on the topic of (culture-specific) standardisation in mummy paleoimaging and paleopathology. We further recommend the development of an international, multi-disciplinary panel of paleoimaging interpreters.
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