Comparison of UTE sequence and MSCT in 15 mummified
specimens from Archeological Museum in Zagreb
Poster No.:
C-2562
Congress:
ECR 2012
Type:
Scientific Paper
Authors:
M. Cavka , G. Ivanac , A. Petaros , Z. Sonicki , G. Reiter , S.
1
1
4
2
5
1
1 1
3
2
Nielles-Vallespin , P. Speier , B. Brkljacic ; Zagreb/HR, Rijeka/
3
4
5
HR, Graz/AT, London/UK, Erlangen/DE
Keywords:
Forensic / Necropsy studies, Animal (veterinary) studies, MR
physics, CT, MR, Digital radiography, Comparative studies,
Neoplasia, Trauma
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2012/C-2562
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Page 1 of 15
Purpose
Introduction: Only few months after the discovery of X-rays, first x-ray studies on
mummies were performed. Therefore paleoradiology is as old as radiology. Later
advances in radiology were applied almost simultaneously in paleoradiology. Mummies
are dessicated and lack of unbound protons so magnetic resonance (MR) couldn't be
applied without rehidration, which led to permanent destruction of specimens. In 2007 for
the first time MR signal was obtained from a dessicated mummy.
Purpose:
Evaluation to which extent magnetic resonance (MR) ultra-short-echo-time (UTE)
imaging of dry mummified specimens can add archaeological information to the one
gained by computed tomography (CT) scans.
Methods and Materials
Materials: Three whole human mummies, two heads, four fists, two feet and four
mummifed animal remains, belonging to the Egyptian Collection from Archeological
Museum in Zagreb.
Methods:
Axial CT slices were obtained using 16 x 0.75 collimation and images were reconstructed
at 0.75-mm section thickness and 0.7 mm reconstruction increment (RI) using MDCT unit
(Sensation 16; Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). Scanning parameters used
were 220 mA and 140 kV.
1
3-dimensional (3D), spoiled gradient echo based UTE images of the specimen were
acquired on a 1.5-T scanner (Magnetom Avanto, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen,
Germany) employing manufacturer's head, spine and flex array coils, contrastdetermining parameters echo time, repetition time and flip angle were chosen 0.07 ms,
15 ms and 45°, respectively. The 40000 radial projections used to reconstruct 256 slices
3
of 1.3x1.3x1.3 mm isotropic resolution, resulted in an imaging time of 10 min per 3D slab.
Postprocessing was performed on Leonardo workstation (Siemens AG Medical
Solutions, Erlangen, Germany), Aquarius workstation (Terarecon Inc, San Mateo, USA)
and OsiriX Imaging Software (Pixmeo, Geneve, Switzerland).
Images for this section:
Page 2 of 15
Fig. 1: Mummified head
Page 3 of 15
Fig. 2: Mummified fist
Page 4 of 15
Fig. 3: Mummified headless cat
Page 5 of 15
Results
UTE images could be evaluated in 14 of 15 specimens.
Images were qualitatively (classifed as 0- not visible, 1-moderate , 2- clearly seen)
evaluated for bone defects, linen elements, superficial layer of embalming liquid, and
subchondral bone, cortical bone, inter vertebral disks, vascular structures and resin like
fluid where possible.
In three cases where iv disks where seen they were always better visualized with MR.
Superficial layer of embalming fluid was visualized in 10 cases and only on MR. In 13
cases where subchondral bone was visualized on CT, CT was superior in 1 case and
MR in 5 cases. Resin like fluid was visualized in 5 cases; equally good in CT and MR.
In other points of interest, CT was superior to MR.
Additional information to CT scans could be gained in 12 of 15 cases.
Images for this section:
Page 6 of 15
Fig. 4: Resin like fluid in skull MIP and VRT MR image
Page 7 of 15
Fig. 5: Resin like fluid in pelvis VRT and MIP MR image IV disks are also clearly shown
Page 8 of 15
Fig. 6: MIP MR image of mummified fist showing the superficial layer of embalming fluid
Page 9 of 15
Fig. 7: MIP CT of mummified fist without clear evidence of superficial embalming layer
Page 10 of 15
Fig. 8: MIP MR image of a mummy pelvis with high signal in superficial layer of embalming
fluid, iv disks and subchondral bone
Page 11 of 15
Fig. 9: MIP CT image of pelvis without clear evidence of superficial layer of embalming
fluid. Subchondral bone isn't enhanced in comparison with other parts of bone. IV disks
not clearly shown.
Page 12 of 15
Fig. 10: Tables 1-4
Page 13 of 15
Conclusion
Whereas conventional MR imaging is not feasible because of the lack of unbound
protons, UTE imaging of dry mummies can add significant paleoradiological information
as narrowing of differential diagnosis and mummification technique.
2,3
We can confirm findings from previous studies that IV disks and superficial layer of
embalming fluid can be evaluated more precise with UTE sequence. Resin like fluid and
subchondral bones also show high signal and could provide new information in future.
References
1 - Nielles-Vallespin S, Weber Ma, Bock M, Bongers A, Speier P, Combs Se, Wöhrle J,
Lehmann-Horn F, Essig M, Schad Lr. 3D radial projection technique with ultrashort echo
times for sodium MRI: clinical applications in human brain and skeletal muscle. Magn
Reson Med. 2007;57(1):74-81.
2 - Rühli FJ, von Waldburg H, Nielles-Vallespin S, Böni T, Speier P.
Clinical magnetic resonance imaging of ancient dry human mummies without rehydration.
JAMA. 2007;298(22):2618-20.
3 - Cavka M, Petaros A, Ivanac G, Aganovic L, Jankovic I, Reiter G, Speier P, NiellesVallespin S, Brkljacic B. A Probable Case of Hand-Schueller-Christian's Disease in an
Egyptian Mummy Revealed by CT and MR Investigation of a Dry Mummy. Coll Antropol.
2012 In press.
Personal Information
1,2
Mislav Cavka
5
1,2
, Gordana Ivanac
Speier , Sonja Nielles-Vallespin
3
2
4
, Anja Petaros , Zdenko Sonicki , Gert Reiter , Peter
6,7
,Boris Brkljacic
1,2
1
University Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology in University Hospital
"Dubrava", 6 Av. Gojka Suska, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
2
University of Zagreb, Medical School, 3 Salata, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
Page 14 of 15
3
Department of Forensic Medicine and Criminalistics, School of Medicine, Rijeka
University, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
4
Siemens AG Healthcare, 315 Strassgangerstrasse, Graz 8036, Austria,
5
Siemens AG Healthcare, 2 Allee am Röthelheimpark, Erlangen 91001, Germany,
6
Cardiovascular MR Unit Royal Brompton
7
Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, Chelsea London, SW3 6NP
Page 15 of 15