Abstract
Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is probably as old as human beings. The Edwin Smith
Papyrus is the first treatise describing the treatment of patients with TBI and allows
insights into the medical examination and treatment of head-injured patients in ancient
Egypt.
Method Clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles in the treatment of TBI in ancient
Egypt were analyzed.
Results Methodically, cases and the presentation of each case are neatly classified within
the papyrus. The papyrus contains the first description of the brain, pulsations,
contusions as the result of TBI, the dura, and cerebrospinal fluid, revealing a more
or less sophisticated knowledge of cerebral anatomy. Furthermore, ancient physicians
examined wounds, fractures, signs of basal skull fractures, and associated neurological
or infectious symptoms, and classified the injury pattern according to their prognosis.
Therapeutic options at this time seemed to have been limited.
Conclusions The Edwin Smith Papyrus reveals asthonishing observation skill when considering the
methods and limits of acient times. These physicians were able to recognize many symptoms
of TBI and assign them a prognostic value.
Keywords
Edwin Smith Papyrus - Ancient Egypt - traumatic brain injury
