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

Abstract

ObjectiveIn 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 methodsThe 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.ResultsCT 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.ConclusionCT 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.

Pediatric paleoradiology: Applications and best practice protocols for image acquisition and reporting

“…Mummification techniques were also assessed (Davey et al, 2013, 2011; Martina et al, 2018; Wisseman & Hunt, 2014). Pathologies and anomalies identified in these examinations included: meningocele (Boano et al, 2009), cerebral hemorrhage (Papageorgopoulou et al, 2010), pectus excavatum, hepatomegaly, Harris lines (Zesch et al, 2016), probable neurofibromatosis 1, lung infection suggestive of tuberculosis (Panzer et al, 2017), “pressure erosion and distortion of the upper thoracic spine” suggestive of a neuroenteric duplication cyst (Loynes et al, 2018), indeterminate occipital fracture (Wisseman & Hunt, 2014), and probable tuberculous vertebral lesions (Öhrström et al, 2018).…”

Did Cro-Magnon 1 have neurofibromatosis type 2?

“…Previous attempts at rediagnosing NF2 (or schwannomatosis) phenotypes on the basis of clinical and pathological reviews of old portraits and specimens' reports have been made. 3 On the basis of the above considerations, the full facial reconstruction of the Cro-Magnon male individual 1 should not include the additional smaller facial tumours (ie, the cutaneous neurofibromas), which belong to the NF1 phenotype. Previous CT scan reconstructions have shown NF1 phenotypes on the basis of stronger paleoradiological evidence.…”

“…What is unique about vitamin A deficiency is that food solutions exist and are feasible, even in low-income populations. Some 20 years ago, Noel W Solomons 3 concluded that red (unrefined) palm oil, the highest and most bioavailable plant source of provitamin A, did as well as vitamin A supplements. Red palm oil could do the work in most of sub-Saharan Africa, provided that it is not bleached during cooking and an efficient commercial distribution network is established.…”

Did Cro-Magnon 1 have neurofibromatosis type 2? – Authors' reply

“…My lawsuit settlement against the National Institutes of Health did not give the WI-38 title to anyone. [2][3][4] The Bayh-Dole act specifically allows compensation for scientists who make discoveries using federal funds (I never received com pensation for my discoveries). However, billions of dollars were-and still are-made by the world's human virus vaccine manufacturers who continue using the WI-38 cell strain…”

“…Second, the case cited by Ruggieri and colleagues is that of an Inca mummy of a child from the 17th century, with perfectly preserved organic tissues, allowing a diagnosis of multiple neurofibromas present in soft tissues; 3 it cannot reasonably serve as a comparison case with the dry skull of a fossil man.…”