Erosive effects of a posterior mediastinal mass in a 18th to early 19th c. Spanish child mummy

Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2018 Dec;14(4):574-578. doi: 10.1007/s12024-018-0013-8. Epub 2018 Aug 25.

Abstract

During the 2011 restoration works in the central nave of the church of the Assumption of Our Lady, known as "The Piquete", in the village of Quinto (about 50 kms southwest of Zaragoza, Spain), the remains of 70 individuals were uncovered. Of these there were 32 mummified bodies, four of which have been investigated with CT scans. Here we report on the findings in one such individual, namely a child of between 7 and 8 years of age, whose sex is debatable but may well be female. The main pathological finding is the presence of pressure erosion and distortion of the upper thoracic spine, the cause of which is discussed with the conclusion that this may well represent a neurenteric duplication cyst. The possible consequences of such a lesion are considered.

Keywords: Mummy Museum of Quinto; Natural mummies; Neurenteric cysts; Paleopathology.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cysts / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cysts / pathology
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Mediastinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mummies*
  • Spain
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / abnormalities*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed