Pectus excavatum in mummies from ancient Egypt.

Area of Science:

• Paleopathology
• Medical History
• Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• Pectus excavatum is a frequent congenital chest wall deformity.
• Historical medical literature lacks descriptions of pectus excavatum from antiquity.
• This absence may indicate a change in prevalence or underreporting.

Observation:

• Computed tomography (CT) scans of 217 ancient Egyptian mummies were reviewed.
• Three cases with features suggestive of pectus excavatum were identified.
• The study aimed to investigate the historical presence of this deformity.

Findings:

• Pectus excavatum was present in ancient Egyptian populations.
• The prevalence in ancient times appears comparable to modern rates.
• This finding challenges the notion of a recent emergence of the condition.

Implications:

• The deformity has likely existed for millennia.
• Historical reporting biases may explain its apparent absence in ancient texts.
• Further paleopathological studies can illuminate the long-term history of congenital anomalies.