Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 844
Scientific nameHomo sapiens
CollectionHunterian
CategoryDry preparations
Object namecalvaria, multiple myeloma, Morbid Anatomy of Bones - Secondary Tumours, Un-mounted dry bone
DescriptionA calvaria showing numerous perforations of the bone as a result of multiple myeloma.
The malignant tumours have destroyed either or both the tables and diploe of the bone in several places, leaving a variety of apertures across the calvaria, most markedly along the sagittal suture, with more evidence of activity on the internal surface. At the margins of the large apertures small amounts of new bone have been deposited on the endocranial surface. Following examination of the body after death, many other bones were seen to have been similarly affected, with the areas of bone loss filled with a curdy substance, and some bones showing evidence of the spontaneous fractures that occurred during life.
The patient in this case was the Hon. George Grenville (1712-1770).
A drawing showing this specimen is preserved in Hunter's drawing books (see related records).
Production date 1770
Preparator
Owner/user
Patient/subject
presented
Related objectsRCSHC/P 845RCSHC/P 846RCSHC/P 847RCSSC/HDB/4/1/361/1
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 7: St George's Hospital
Physical Information
Physical descriptionDry preparation of bone un-mounted.
Dimensions
whole weight: 222 g
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 2, pages 80-1.
NotesText taken from Hunterian MS. Catalogue.
TranscriptA calvaria which, owing to the presence of secondary malignant growths in its substance, has been perforated in several situations, and has numerous deep circular ulcerated cavities, with sharp broken margins, in its internal table and diploë. The disease is most marked along the course of the longitudinal sinus, near which, besides presenting several deep excavations from within, and a perforation an inch wide at the angle of the occipital bone, the substance of the skull is riddled with numerous small round apertures, of which some open internally, some externally, and others pass completely through the bone. Around the margins of the larger apertures and cavities small quantities of new bone are deposited on the inner table. Spontaneous fracture of some of the bones occurred during life.
"From the Hon. George Grenville - On opening the body, many other bones were found in the same condition, where, in place of the bone that was removed, there was found a curdly substance."
Page 32.
NotesListed in William Clift's catalogue of the drawings of morbid anatomy as Drawing No. 43, page 32. Attributed by Clift to William Bell, so before 1789.
SourceClift 1830 Part 2
NotesCatalogue number is 150.
TranscriptThe calvaria of a gentleman, to show ulceration from pressure arising from disease in the bone. The disease appears to have originated on the inside, and in several places it has extended through both tables, to the external surface of the skull. "On opening the body many other bones were found in the same condition; where, in place on the bone that was removed, there was found a curdy substance."
