Poliomyelitis or lumbosacral radicular compression? A new interpretation of the Ruma stele
Abstract The funerary stele of the Egyptian priest Ruma depicts marked atrophy and deformity of the right lower limb, traditionally interpreted as a possible sequela of paralytic poliomyelitis. This study re-evaluates this interpretation through an interdisciplinary clinical, paleopathological, and iconographic analysis, proposing chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy as a plausible alternative diagnosis.
Authors
- Francesco Maria Galassi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8902-3142)
- Vincenzo Esposito (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7316-5461)
- Luigi Cofone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3120-6178)
- Marco Artico (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8786-7007)
- Ivano Pindinello (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8004-5537)
- Marise Sabato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8852-3047)
- Giuseppe Sciamanna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0070-1638)
Institutions
- University of Łódź (PL)
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences (IT)
- IRCCS San Camillo Hospital (IT)
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery
- Published
- 2026-09-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-026-01243-9
- Primary Topic
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00