Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in an Old Kingdom Egyptian skeleton: A case report

The skeletal remains of a young adult male (aged 25–35 years) recovered from an Old Kingdom cemetery at Saqqara, Egypt, displayed multiple skeletal abnormalities in the limbs and vertebral column. These included bilateral shortening and robusticity of the humeri with flared distal metaphyses and exaggerated muscle attachments, early-onset osteoarthritic changes in the glenohumeral joints, thoraco-lumbar scoliosis, deformities of the proximal tibiae characteristic of a genu varum condition, angulation and shortening of the fourth metacarpal and metatarsal typical of brachydactyly type E1, and possible mild short stature. The condition has been diagnosed as multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED). This case of MED is possibly only the second example to be reported in skeletal material from ancient Egypt. No other reports of MED in archaeological material are currently known.

► Multiple skeletal abnormalities of the limbs and spine are found in a young adult male. ► Findings include abnormal humeri, scoliosis, early osteoarthrosis, genu varus, brachydactyly. ► The most likely diagnosis is multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. ► This case is possibly the second identified in skeletal material from ancient Egypt.