Imaging study and laparoscopy in a puerperal emergency four centuries ago

The present case was investigated using non-invasive methods in order to preserve the mummified body. Imaging techniques, routinely applied in contemporary diagnoses and in palaeopathology, were used. Digital radiography and computed tomography (CT), combined with more advanced techniques such as three-dimensional reconstruction (3-D CT) and virtual endoscopy (VE), permitted some unexpected evaluations during the study of a natural mummy belonging to a 16th century young woman. At external examination, the woman already showed an enormous enlargement of the left hemi-abdomen. Laparoscopy, a recent surgical technique used in palaeopathology for the first time, made it possible to macroscopically observe the internal part of the abdomen and to obtain samples of internal mummified tissues for histology. All the results obtained by applying these different methodologies lead to the diagnosis of a case of puerperal death. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Abdomen · Computed tomography · Endoscopy · Laparoscopy · Medical diagnosis · Paleopathology · Pathology · Radiography · Radiology · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases

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