CHICAGO, Dec. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Researchers using modern imaging techniques on hearts more
than 400 years old found at an archaeological site were able to
learn about the health conditions of the people buried there,
according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of
the Radiological Society of North
America (RSNA).
Archaeologists with the National Institute for Preventive
Archaeological Research excavating the basement of the Convent of
the Jacobins in Rennes, France,
unearthed several grave sites dating back to the late 16th or early
17th century.
Among the items unearthed in the burial vaults of elite-class
families were five heart-shaped lead urns. Inside each urn was a
preserved human heart. A team of radiologists, including one with a
background in forensics, was called in to examine the hearts.
Additional researchers, including forensic physicians,
archaeologists, pathologic physicians and physicists, were brought
in from the Molecular Anthropology and Synthesis Imaging and the
Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases.
The research team used MRI and CT to obtain clinical images of
the hearts. While the images were impressive, due to the embalming
materials used to preserve the hearts, very little health
information could be obtained.
"We tried to see if we could get health information from the
hearts in their embalmed state, but the embalming material made it
difficult," said study author Fatima-Zohra
Mokrane, M.D., radiologist at Rangueil Hospital at the
University Hospital of Toulouse in France. "We needed to take necessary
precautions to conduct the research carefully in order to get all
possible information."
The research team carefully cleaned the hearts, removing the
embalming material. MRI and CT scans were redone. On the new set of
CT images, researchers were able to identify the different heart
structures, such as chambers, valves and coronary arteries. Once
the tissue was rehydrated, researchers were better able to identify
myocardial muscles with MRI. Classic techniques, such as
dissection, external study and histology, were also used to examine
the heart tissues.
One heart appeared healthy and showed no signs of disease. Three
of the hearts did show signs of disease, as plaque was found on the
coronary arteries. The fifth heart had been poorly preserved and,
therefore, could not be studied.
"Since four of the five hearts were very well preserved, we were
able to see signs of present-day heart conditions, such as plaque
and atherosclerosis," Dr. Mokrane said.
During the excavation, the archaeologists and the research team
also discovered that the heart of one male—later identified by an
inscription on one of the lead urns as Toussaint Perrien, Knight of Brefeillac—had been
removed upon his death and later buried with his wife, Louise de
Quengo, Lady of Brefeillac, whose preserved body was also found at
the site.
"It was common during that time period to be buried with the
heart of a husband or wife," Dr. Mokrane said. "This was the case
with one of our hearts. It's a very romantic aspect to the
burials."
Co-authors on the study are Rozenn Colleter, Ph.D., Sylvie Duchesne, Ph.D., Ramiro Moreno, Ph.D., Anou Sewonu, Ph.D.,
Herve P. Rousseau, Ph.D., Eric
Crubezy, M.D., Ph.D., Norbert Telmon, M.D., Ph.D., and Fabrice
Dedouit, M.D., Ph.D.
Note: Copies of RSNA 2015 news releases and electronic images
will be available online at RSNA.org/press15 beginning
Monday, Nov. 30.
RSNA is an association of more than 54,000 radiologists,
radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists,
promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery
through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society
is based in Oak Brook, Ill.
(RSNA.org)
For patient-friendly information on MRI and CT, visit
RadiologyInfo.org.
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SOURCE Radiological Society of North
America (RSNA)