AB Granville was a pioneer obstetrician and gynaecologic surgeon who performed the world’s first myomectomy and the first ovariotomy in England. He also performed the first scientific autopsy of an Egyptian mummy, discovering the oldest known ovarian tumour. He thought it was malignant and caused her death from ‘ovarian dropsy’. This study reveals the tumour to be a benign cystadenoma. Further analysis indicates she died from terminal pneumonia from tuberculosis.
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Edmonstone A. A journey to two of the oases of upper Egypt. London: John Murray, 1822, p.47.
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GranvilleAB. An account of the opening of an Egyptian mummy. London Medical and Physical Journal1821; 46: 377–379.
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DonoghueHDLeeOY-CMinnikinDE. Tuberculosis in Dr Granville’s mummy: a molecular reexamination of the earliest known Egyptian mummy to be scientifically examined and given a medical diagnosis. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine2010; 277: 51–55.
