Trepanation of the Outer Table as a Treatment for Scalping Injuries: Historical Perspective and Modern Applications

Katsevman, Gennadiy A.; Brandmeir, Nicholas

doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2020.09.147

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Overall, trephinations have proven medicinal benefits [ 80 , 81 ], and are most often cited in the archaeological literature as curative to head trauma by releasing pressure buildup in the head [ 82 ]. And while these procedures are less frequently linked to curing non-traumatic illnesses and diseases, they have been performed on individuals who had epilepsy, scurvy, frontal sinusitis, intracranial disorders and diseases, hydrocephaly and osteitis [ 74 , 75 , 83 , 84 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

et al. 2023

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Here we present the paleopathological profiles of two young adult males, identified as brothers through ancient DNA analysis, who were buried together beneath the floor of an elite early Late Bronze Age I (ca. 1550–1450 BC) domestic structure at the urban center of Megiddo (modern Israel). Both individuals displayed uncommon morphological variants related to developmental conditions, and each exhibited extensive bone remodeling consistent with chronic infectious disease. Additionally, one brother had a healed fracture of the nose, as well as a large square piece of bone cut from the frontal bone (cranial trephination). We consider the potential etiologies for the appearance of the skeletal anomalies and lesions. Based on the bioarchaeological context, we propose that a shared epigenetic landscape predisposed the brothers to acquiring an infectious disease and their elite status privileged them enough to endure it. We then contextualize these potential illnesses and disorders with the trephination procedure. The infrequency of trephination in the region indicates that only selected individuals could access such a procedure, and the severity of the pathological lesions suggests the procedure was possibly intended as curative to deteriorating health. Ultimately, both brothers were buried with the same rites as others in their community, thus demonstrating their continued integration in society even after death.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

et al. 2023

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“…Even though the history of neurosurgery seems to begin in the Neolithic period, 5000 years later, it was the pre-Inca civilizations that developed trepanning techniques. The indications of these trepanations were very different from today and had a religious or magical tone [2,6]. Nevertheless, these procedures were also performed in the context of cranial trauma, headaches, epilepsy and behavioural disorders.…”

Section: Neurosurgery: a Short Historical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on clinical observations, he performed the first cerebral cortectomies on three patients. This procedure, although supported by imaging and physiological investigations, is commonly performed today [6,7]. Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) [15] is the first American neurosurgeon to operate on brain tumours.…”

Section: Neurosurgery: a Short Historical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Precision Neurosurgery: A Path Forward

Gilard

Derrey

Marret

et al. 2021

JPM

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Since the inception of their profession, neurosurgeons have defined themselves as physicians with a surgical practice. Throughout time, neurosurgery has always taken advantage of technological advances to provide better and safer care for patients. In the ongoing precision medicine surge that drives patient-centric healthcare, neurosurgery strives to effectively embrace the era of data-driven medicine. Neuro-oncology best illustrates this convergence between surgery and precision medicine with the advent of molecular profiling, imaging and data analytics. This convenient convergence paves the way for new preventive, diagnostic, prognostic and targeted therapeutic perspectives. The prominent advances in healthcare and big data forcefully challenge the medical community to deeply rethink current and future medical practice. This work provides a historical perspective on neurosurgery. It also discusses the impact of the conceptual shift of precision medicine on neurosurgery through the lens of neuro-oncology.

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“…Medical treatment, at least for some eighteenth-century scalping survivors on the American frontier, was available in the form of a surgical technique developed by Belloste in 1696. It has been re-introduced as a neurosurgical procedure only relatively recently [ 22 ]. The “Mohawk” hairstyle, named after the “Mohawk” tribe as the most easterly section of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquioian Confederacy), is closely linked with scalping in North America.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Scalping” in the context of criminal dismemberment and mutilation—a case report and review of the literature

Potente

Heinbuch

Ramsthaler

et al. 2023

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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We report on a case of criminal dismemberment and attempted scalping of a homicide victim with a “Mohawk” haircut. Case findings are presented. A review of the literature was performed for scalping in its historical and cultural context and particularly in criminal dismemberment and mutilation: Historically, scalping was prevalent in many ancient cultures around the world, where scalps were taken as trophies or “proof of kill”, much like shrunken heads, trophy skulls, and other artefacts. Scalping was particularly widespread in Northern America in the context of tribal warfare, both before and after colonization. The iconic “Mohawk” haircut is closely linked with scalping, as it was meant to taunt the enemy. In the modern forensic context, scalping constitutes a form of criminal mutilation. However, cases of criminal dismemberment and mutilation are rare in forensic casework. Our literature review revealed a low number of scalping in criminal dismemberment and mutilation cases. The documentation was overall poor. Positioning scalping within the classification of criminal mutilation and dismemberment was difficult. In literature, even though case numbers were small, the majority of “textbook scalping” cases were German. The presented case, to our best knowledge, is the first modern-day photo-documented case of (attempted) scalping, even more so of a person wearing a “Mohawk”.

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Trepanation of the Outer Table as a Treatment for Scalping Injuries: Historical Perspective and Modern Applications

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

Precision Neurosurgery: A Path Forward

“Scalping” in the context of criminal dismemberment and mutilation—a case report and review of the literature

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