Anatomical confirmation of computed tomography-based diagnosis of the atherosclerosis discovered in 17th century Korean mummy

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 10; no. 3; p. e0119474
• Main Authors: Kim, Myeung Ju, Kim, Yi-Suk, Oh, Chang Seok, Go, Jai-Hyang, Lee, In Sun, Park, Won-Kyu, Cho, Seok-Min, Kim, Soon-Kwan, Shin, Dong Hoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 27.03.2015; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: 17th century; Abdominal Cavity - diagnostic imaging; Abdominal Cavity - pathology; Adult; Aorta; Aorta, Abdominal - diagnostic imaging; Aorta, Abdominal - pathology; Arteriosclerosis; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - diagnostic imaging; Atherosclerosis - pathology; Calcification; Cardiovascular disease; Computation; Computed tomography; Coronary vessels; Coronary Vessels - diagnostic imaging; Coronary Vessels - pathology; Cultural heritage; Diagnostic software; Diagnostic systems; Dissection; Female; Forensic sciences; Heart - diagnostic imaging; Hemorrhage; Historic artifacts; Humans; Medical diagnosis; Medical imaging; Medicine; Middle Aged; Mummies - diagnostic imaging; Mummies - pathology; Plaques; Studies; Thickening; Thyroid gland; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Women; South Korea
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119474

In the present study on a newly discovered 17th century Korean mummy, computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple aortic calcifications within the aortic wall that were indicative of ancient atherosclerosis. The CT-based findings were confirmed by our subsequent post-factum dissection, which exhibited possible signs of the disease including ulcerated plaques, ruptured hemorrhages, and intimal thickening where the necrotic core was covered by the fibrous cap. These findings are strong indicators that the mummy suffered from aortic atherosclerosis during her lifetime. The present study is a good example of how CT images of vascular calcifications can be a useful diagnostic tool in forming at least preliminary diagnoses of ancient atherosclerosis.