Decorated bodies for eternal life: A multidisciplinary study of late Roman Period stucco-shrouded portrait mummies from Saqqara (Egypt).

This study focuses on the multidisciplinary investigation of three stucco-shrouded mummies with mummy portrait from Egypt dating from the late 3rd to the middle of the 4th century AD, corresponding to the late Roman Period. These three mummies were excavated in the early 17th and late 19th centuries in the Saqqara necropolis near the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. Two of them experienced an interesting collection history, when they became part of the collection of the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland August II in Dresden, Germany, in 1728. The investigation includes information about the mummies' discovery, collection history and shroud decoration obtained through Egyptological expertise. In addition, information on the state of preservation, technique of artificial mummification, age at death, sex, body height and health of the deceased was achieved through computed tomography (CT) analysis. Research yielded an adult male, a middle-aged female and a young female. Due to the rather poorly preserved bodies of the male and middle-aged female, a specific technique of artificial mummification could not be ascertained. Brain and several internal organs of the well-preserved young female were identified. Wooden boards, beads of necklaces, a hairpin, and metal dense items, such as lead seals, nails and two coins or medallions were discovered. Paleopathological findings included carious lesions, Schmorl's nodes, evidence of arthritis and a vertebral hemangioma. The study revealed insights on the decoration and burial preparation of individuals of upper socioeconomic status living in the late Roman Period, as well as comprehensive bioanthropological information of the deceased.

Percutaneous versus open posterior stabilization in AOSpine type A3 thoracolumbar fractures.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to compare treatment strategies of two level-one trauma centers regarding clinical and radiological outcomes focusing on non-osteoporotic AOSpine type A3 fractures of the thoracolumbar spine at levels T11 to L2. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients between 18 and 65 years of age that were treated operatively in either of two trauma centers were included. One treatment strategy includes open posterior stabilization whereas the other uses percutaneous posterior stabilization. Both included additional anterior fusion if necessary. Demographic data, McCormack classification, duration of surgery, hospital stay and further parameters were assessed. Owestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and SF-36 were measured for functional outcome. Bisegmental kyphosis angle, reduction loss and sagittal alignment parameters were assessed for radiological outcome. Follow up was at least 24 months. RESULTS: There was no significant difference regarding our primary functional outcome parameter (ODI) between both groups. Regarding radiological outcome kyphosis angle at time of follow up did not show a significant difference. Reduction loss at time of follow up was moderate in both groups with a significantly lower rate in the percutaneously stabilized group. Surgery time was significantly shorter for posterior stabilization and anterior fusion in the percutaneous group. Time of hospital stay was equal for posterior stabilization but shorter for anterior fusion in the open stabilized group. CONCLUSION: Both treatment strategies are safe and effective showing only minor loss of reduction. Clinical relevant differences in functional and radiographic outcome between the two surgical groups could not be demonstrated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: It was conducted according to ICMJE guidelines and has been retrospectively registered with the German Clinical Trials Registry (identification number: DRKS00015693, 07.11.2018).

Early Decompression (<8 Hours) Improves Functional Bladder Outcome and Mobility After Traumatic Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND: There is accumulating evidence of a potential beneficial effect of early surgical intervention after acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). However, around one third of all SCIs affect the thoracic spine. This cohort has not been extensively investigated, mainly because of less sensitive clinical readout measures. Apart from regaining full sensorimotor function, improvements in bladder and bowel management remain of the highest priority for patients with chronic paraplegia. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of early decompression (here defined as <8 hours) versus delayed management on neurologic and functional outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the institutional database, in which follow-up data were collected prospectively according to the European Multicenter Study about Spinal Cord Injury standards. Within a 13-year period, we identified 43 patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 32 (74%) were managed surgically within the first 8 hours. There was a trend toward a higher rate of patients with clinically complete SCI in the early group at baseline. RESULTS: After 1 year, we did not observe a benefit on the neurologic outcome as assessed via the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM). The early decompressed group demonstrated significantly improved SCIM 6 (i.e., bladder management) (P < 0.045) and SCIM 9-11 subitems (i.e., mobility, transfer) (P < 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Early decompression was an independent predictor for improved functional bladder outcome and mobility after 1 year. This effect needs to be studied in future prospective, multicenter studies.

Earlier Decompression (< 8 Hours) Results in Better Neurological and Functional Outcome after Traumatic Thoracolumbar Spinal Cord Injury.

The optimal timing of surgical intervention following spinal cord injury (SCI) remains under debate. Recent studies indicate a potential neurological and functional benefit of early surgery (< 8 h) after cervical SCI. For thoracolumbar SCI syndromes, fewer studies exist. Bladder and bowel dysfunction are highly relevant for these patients and impair their quality of life. Hence, we performed a retrospective study on patients with thoracolumbar SCI who were operated on at our institution and who met inclusion as well as exclusion criteria (n = 58 patients). Follow-up data were collected prospectively within a fixed time schedule over 1 year according to the European Multicenter Study about Spinal Cord Injury protocol. Early decompression was defined as within the first 8 h after injury and was performed in 35 patients. After the follow-up period, the early decompression group showed improved American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grades (p < 0.040) and a higher AIS conversion (p < 0.021). Further, these patients demonstrated a higher total Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) difference (p < 0.005). Special emphasis was placed on the functional bladder and bowel outcome. Here, we observed improved bladder outcome (i.e., SCIM-6 sub-item; p < 0.021) and a trend towards better functional bowel management (i.e., SCIM-7; p < 0.090). Linear regression models showed that early surgery was an independent predictor for higher AIS shifts and improved total SCIM difference. Our data suggests that prompt surgical management after thoracolumbar SCI might have a positive impact on the functional and neurological outcome.

Evidence of neurofibromatosis type 1 in a multi-morbid Inca child mummy: A paleoradiological investigation using computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, an Inca bundle was examined using computed tomography (CT). The primary aim was to determine the preservation status of bony and soft tissues, the sex, the age at the time of death, possible indicators for disease or even the cause of death, as well as the kind of mummification. A secondary aim was to obtain a brief overview of the wrapping in order to gain additional information on the cultural background. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bundle belongs to the Museum of Cultures in Basel, Switzerland, and was bought in Munich, Germany, in 1921. Radiocarbon dating of the superficial textile yielded a calibrated age between 1480 and 1650 AD. The mummy was investigated using multi-slice CT with slice thickness of 0.75 mm and 110 kilovolt. For standardized assessment of soft tissue preservation, a recently developed checklist was applied. RESULTS: CT revealed the mummy of a seven to nine year old boy with superior preservation of bony and soft tissues allowing detailed assessment. Indicators of neurofibromatosis type 1 (paravertebral and cutaneous neurofibromas, a breast neurofibroma, sphenoid wing dysplasia), Chagas disease (dilatation of the esophagus, stomach, rectum, and large amounts of feces), and lung infection (pleural adherence, calcifications), probably due to tuberculosis, were found. Furthermore, signs of peri-mortem violence (transection of the chest and a defect in the abdominal wall) were detected. CT images revealed a carefully performed wrapping. CONCLUSION: CT examination of the Inca bundle proved to be an important non-destructive examination method. Standardized assessment, especially of the soft tissue structures, allowed for diagnoses of several diseases, indicating a multi-morbid child at the time of death. The careful wrapping pointed to a ceremonial burial. Within the cultural background, the signs of fatal violence were discussed as a possible result of war, murder, accident, or human sacrifice.

Early Decompression (< 8 h) after Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Improves Functional Outcome as Assessed by Spinal Cord Independence Measure after One Year.

There is an ongoing controversy about the optimal timing for surgical decompression after acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). For this reason, we performed a retrospective study of patients who were operated on after traumatic cervical SCI at the Trauma Center Murnau, Germany, and who met inclusion as well as exclusion criteria (n = 70 patients). Follow-up data were collected prospectively according to the European Multicenter Study about Spinal Cord Injury (EMSCI) protocol over a period of 1 year. Early decompression was defined as within the first 8 h after the insult (n = 35 patients). Primary outcome was the difference in the SCIM (Spinal Cord Independence Measure) 1 year after the trauma. After the follow-up period, patients who were decompressed earlier had a significantly higher SCIM difference (45.8 vs. 27.1, p < 0.005). A regression analysis showed that timing of decompression, age, as well as basal AIS (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale) and basal SCIM scores were independent predictors for a better functional outcome (SCIM). Further, patients from the early decompression group had better AIS grades (p < 0.006) and a higher AIS conversion rate (p < 0.029). Additionally, this cohort also had a better total motor performance as well as upper extremity motor function after 1 year (p < 0.025 and p < 0.002). The motor and neurological levels of patients who were operated on within 8 h were significantly more caudal (p < 0.003 and p < 0.014) after 1 year. The present study suggests that early decompression after traumatic cervical SCI might have a positive impact on the functional and neurological outcome of affected individuals.

Evaluation of risk for secondary fracture after removal of a new femoral neck plate for intracapsular hip fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a new femoral neck plate has a higher risk for secondary fracture after implant removal than the current standard treatment for intracapsular hip fractures. METHODS: Six pairs of human cadaver femora (age, 56 ± 5.6 years; range, 48-64 years; two female and four male donors) were instrumented with the femoral neck plate (FNP) or the compression hip screw combined with an antirotation screw (CHS) in a paired study design. After removal of the implants, axial compression tests to failure of the bones were conducted. Maximum force to failure of the bones after implant removal was determined. Axial stiffness of the bones before surgery and after implant removal was determined. RESULTS: The FNP resulted in a mean failure load of 4687 ± 1743 N (mean ± standard deviation) and the CHS resulted in a mean failure load of 4892 ± 1608 N with no significant difference between the two implant groups (P = 0.405). There was no significant difference in stiffness (P = 0.214) between the FNP (1240 ± 362 N/mm) and the CHS (1293 ± 304 N/mm). The cavities left by the surgery had no effect on the bone stiffness (P > 0.05). The mean failure load of all specimens correlated with the bone mineral density in the proximal part of the femurs by R² = 0.715 (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The FNP demonstrated a similar failure load after implant removal compared with the CHS, although the FNP left a 39% larger cavity in the bone.

Herniation pits and cystic-appearing lesions at the anterior femoral neck: an anatomical study by MSCT and microCT.

OBJECTIVE: To determine distinguishing features between herniation pits (HPs) and other cystic-appearing lesions at the anterior femoral neck in multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and micro-computed tomography (microCT) examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained to examine 37 proximal femora of 23 cadaveric specimens (mean age available in 19 cadavers, 83 years; range 68-100 years; 9 female, 8 male, 6 unknown). All 37 femora were investigated by MSCT. 23 femora, which revealed cystic-appearing lesions at the anterior femoral neck in MSCT examinations, were additionally examined by microCT. Cystic-appearing lesions were categorized by their location, sclerotic margin, demarcation and shape in MSCT with assessment of inter-observer agreement. Detailed cortical and trabecular properties were evaluated in microCT examinations. RESULTS: There were seven HPs in three femora. There were a number of abnormalities potentially imitating HPs, including focal osteoporosis (13 in 13 femora), degenerative changes (5 in 4 femora) and trabecular restructuring (5 in 4 femora) at the anterior femoral neck. HPs were differentiated on the basis of their subchondral/subcortical location, completely surrounding sclerosis, clear demarcation and round-to-oval shape in MSCT. Because of their location and their microscopic appearance, HPs seem to resemble intra-osseous ganglia at the anterior femoral neck. CONCLUSION: HPs have to be differentiated from other cystic appearing lesions at the anterior femoral neck to avoid overestimation of their incidence in the context of diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement.

Fluoroscopic radiation exposure of the kyphoplasty patient.

Kyphoplasty (KP) is a minimally invasive technique for the percutaneous stabilisation of vertebral fractures. As such, this technique is highly dependent upon intraoperative fluoroscopic visualisation. In order to assess the range of radiation doses that patients are typically subjected to, 60 consecutive procedures using simultaneous bilateral fluoroscopy were analysed with respect to exposure time (ET). In a subset of 16 of these patients, a theoretical entrance skin dose (ESD) and effective dose was additionally calculated from intraoperatively measured dose area product. Average fluoroscopy time for single level cases reached 2.2 min (range 0.6-4.3) in the lateral plane and 1.6 min (range 0.5-3.0) in the anterior-posterior plane. For multiple level cases the corresponding ET per level was 1.7 min (range 0.6-2.9) per level in the lateral and 1.1 min (range 0.5-2.0) in the anterior-posterior plane. ESD was estimated as an average 0.32 Gy (range 0.05-0.86) in the anterior-posterior and 0.68 Gy (range 0.10-1.43) in the lateral plane. Effective dose (cumulative from both planes) averaged 4.28 mSv (range 0.47-10.14). Safety margins for the development of early transient erythema are respected within the presented fluoroscopy times. Longer ET in the lateral plane may however breach the 2 Gy threshold. Use of large c-arms and judiciously operating the exposure is recommended. With regard to effective dose, a single fluoroscopy guided KP performed for osteoporotic or traumatic vertebral fractures is a safe procedure.