Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Ancient Egypt: Insights from the Edwin Smith Papyrus

Kamp, Marcel A.; Tahsim-Oglou, Y.; Steiger, Hans‐Jakob; Hänggi, Daniel

doi:10.1055/s-0032-1313635

Cited by 31 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(21 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, interestingly, they observed residual fluorescence of the resection cavity only in 5-ALA-induced fluorescent metastatic tumors. This suggests that they overdiagnosed the adjacent brain fluorescence as tumor fluorescence [ 16 , 17 ]. Furthermore, a previous report suggests that most metastatic brain tumors (82%) show 5-ALA-induced PpIX fluorescence [ 18 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intraoperative 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced photodynamic diagnosis of metastatic brain tumors with histopathological analysis

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundFluorescence-guided surgery using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a promising real-time navigation method in the surgical resection of malignant gliomas. In order to determine whether this method is applicable to metastatic brain tumors, we evaluated the usefulness of intraoperative fluorescence patterns and histopathological features in patients with metastatic brain tumors.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the cases of 16 patients with metastatic brain tumors who underwent intraoperative 5-ALA fluorescence-guided resection. Patients were given 20 mg/kg of 5-ALA orally 2 h prior to the surgery. High-powered excitation illumination and a low-pass filter (420, 450, or 500 nm) were used to visualize the fluorescence of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), the 5-ALA metabolite. We evaluated the relationships between the fluorescence and histopathological findings in both tumoral and peritumoral brain tissue.ResultsTumoral PpIX fluorescence was seen in only 5 patients (31%); in the remaining 11 patients (69%), there was no fluorescence in the tumor bulk itself. In 14 patients (86%), vague fluorescence was seen in peritumoral brain tissue, at a thickness of 2–6 mm. The histopathological examination found cancer cell invasion of adjacent brain tissue in 75% of patients (12/16), at a mean ± SD depth of 1.4 ± 1.0 mm (range 0.2–3.4 mm) from the microscopic border of the tumor. There was a moderate correlation between vague fluorescence in adjacent brain tissue and the depth of cancer cell invasion (P = 0.004).ConclusionPeritumoral fluorescence may be a good intraoperative indicator of tumor extent, preceding more complete microscopic gross total resection.Trial registrationInstitutional Review Board of Osaka Medical College No. 42, registered February 17, 1998, and No. 300, registered April 1, 2008. They were retrospectively registered.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intraoperative 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced photodynamic diagnosis of metastatic brain tumors with histopathological analysis

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, its roots date back to the golden ages of the ancient Egyptian and Latin American Civilizations [2-10]. The ancient Egyptians are well-known for pioneering medicine, highlighted by the excerebration and neurosurgical procedures conducted, as well as their architecture, as highlighted by their pyramidal architecture [2-4, 11-16]. The ancient Latin American culture, in particular, the Peruvians, performed skull trepanation and constructed similar pyramidal structures [5-10, 17-19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mysterious Civilizations: Is There a Connection between Medicine and Architecture in Ancient Egypt and Peru?

ReFaey

Clifton

Quinones

et al. 2019

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ancient Egyptian and Peruvian Civilizations are two of the earliest cultures in human history. Through medical and architectural similarities, we wish to show a possible connection between these two cultures. A literature search was conducted by searching the database of Medline, National Geographic magazine, history books, and Google Scholar using the search terms: neurosurgery, pyramids, pyramidal architectures, ancient Egypt, ancient Peru, the connection between ancient Egypt and Peru. Both the ancient Egyptian and Peruvian Civilizations are well-known for their pioneering work in medicine and architecture; their accomplishments in these areas have been well-documented in the walls of uncovered tombs and discovered papyrus. Both these cultures also firmly believed in an afterlife and built pyramids to serve as tombs and homes for royalty in the afterlife. The sloping sides of the pyramids were inclined to signify the emergence of the physical body from Earth towards the Sun. Both civilizations independently pioneered the art of neurosurgery with different techniques and approaches. In this paper, we discuss the potential links between both civilizations. We recognize and appreciate the brilliance of these ancient cultures in mastering the medicinal and architectural sciences.

show abstract

“…The use of trepanation in Western medicine has its main roots in Egyptian and Greek practices for the treatment of traumatic brain injury 9,10,11,12 . The procedure was regularly done during the Roman Empire (Celsius), throughout the Middle Ages and beyond 3,10 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolving story: trepanation and self-trepanation to enhance brain function

André

2017

Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Trepanation has been performed by people interested in enhancing mental power and well-being since the early 1960s. The pioneers and main proponents of the procedure are described here. The phenomenon appeared in Europe after a Dutch former medical student published a psychoactive drug-friendly scroll suggesting trepanation as a form of permanently increasing cerebral blood volume and function. He trepanned himself in 1965. Three of his friends became enthusiasts. They also submitted themselves to the procedure and published films and books describing their experiences. Two of them coauthored papers, in collaboration with Russian researchers, and created institutions to promote discussion on trepanation. One of these institutions organized trips to Central and South America to get the operation done. Dozens of people nowadays look for trepanation as a method of spiritualization and increasing well-being and mental power. The phenomenon has an uncertain future, however, as the main proponents and supporters are aging.

show abstract

Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Ancient Egypt: Insights from the Edwin Smith Papyrus

Abstract: The Edwin Smith Papyrus reveals astonishing observation skill when considering the methods and limits of ancient times. These physicians were able to recognize many symptoms of TBI and assign them a prognostic value.

Cited by 31 publications

References 10 publications

Intraoperative 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced photodynamic diagnosis of metastatic brain tumors with histopathological analysis

Intraoperative 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced photodynamic diagnosis of metastatic brain tumors with histopathological analysis

Mysterious Civilizations: Is There a Connection between Medicine and Architecture in Ancient Egypt and Peru?

Evolving story: trepanation and self-trepanation to enhance brain function

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About