Last week, scientists from the University of Iowa Department of Radiology and Department of Anthropology collected CT scans from the bones of two skeletons that are more than 100 years old, and come from the Stanford-Meyer Human Anatomy Skeletal Research Collection at the University of Iowa. These bones are being analyzed for pathologies associated with the genetic disorder, Marfan's Syndrome. High resolution CT scans of these skeletons were done to provide additional evidence of pathology in the bones, which may be the only documented skeletal examples of Marfan's syndrome in the United States. Additionally, if diagnosis can be made on these skeletons, then the method can be applied to other skeletal cases and fossilized remains. The long term implication of this study is to assess the possibility of identifying Marfan's syndrome in the fossilized human bones of a Homo erectus specimen.

Abnormally shaped ribs were diagnosed by radiologist,
Dr. George El-Khoury as having "pectus excavatum."

 

Bones and CT images from the Stanford-Meyer Human Anatomy
Skeletal Research Collection at the University of Iowa.

The bones were imaged with a research-dedicated CT scanner run by Dr. Eric Hoffman in the Department of Radiology. Researchers Janet Gardner and Kelly Hattman from the Department of Anthropology, along with scientist and techologist John Haller and Jered Sieren from the Radiology Department, scanned the bones and generated digital images to assist the anthopolists in their analysis. In addition, George El-Khoury, M.D., a world-renowned UI orthopaedic radiologist was asked to examine the bones and CT images and provide a diagnosis.

Three dimensional reconstructions and high resolution CT slices through the
specimens allow scientist to view the insides of the bones in minute detail.