The mummy of the Egyptian priestess Meresamun is helping a radiologist appreciate the recent history of CT with images that are uncovering mysteries of a life that ended 2800 years ago.

Meresamun and her exquisitely decorated coffin have been examined with CT three times during their long journey from the Temple of Karnak at Thebes to the University of Chicago's Oriental Museum. She was first transported from the museum to the University of Chicago Medical Center for a thorough examination with single-slice CT in 1991. The journey was repeated twice in 2008, first in July for a study with 64-slice CT and, at the urging of radiology professor Dr. Michael Vannier, again in September for imaging with the hospital's new 256-slice scanner.

Radiologists attending the 2009 RNSA assembly in Chicago will also have a chance to sample images from the investigation. The exhibit will remain open until Dec. 6.