When the latest patient was put through the CT image scanner atCrouse Hospital , New York , he was far retiring economy , but the medico were still excited to image out what had killed him in the first seat . This was no average affected role for a modern hospital , but a 2,000 - year - previous Egyptian mamma alternatively .

The body belongs to that of Hen , who arrived at Cazenovia Public Library in 1894 and has been on display there ever since . But this trip to the hospital is finally answering some inquiry about how precisely Hen know – and go – that have remained shrouded in enigma for millennia .

Under the supervision of radiologist Dr Mark Levinsohn , the mummy waspassed through a   CT scannerto let on what was go on under the wrap . It showed in particular that Hen suffered from a tumor growing in the bone of his left leg . Whether or not this was the cause of his death is hard to ascertain , but it could not have been well-situated .

“ He had a tumour on his Fibula which is one of the two bones of the lower leg , ” said Dr Mark Levinsohn toBGR . “ Looking at it , it had all the characteristic of a malignant tumor and one that ’s somewhat rare . So , here we have a rare circumstance and a rarified tumor and that evoked our interest a wad . ”

This is really a postdate - up subject to one that was first completed 10   years late . Since then , technology has improve   reasonably , and as such the scanners can picture the mummy in far mellow resolution . This did n’t stop that 2006 scan from revealing some surprising final result though , not least that Hen was really a man , unlike what the buyer was told when they first purchase the Egyptian “ princess ” .

The research worker go for to see if they can get any genetic data about the tumour from these samples , although a like attempt was tried to no avail back in 2006 . They also hope to see if the fragile abscess in his   lung might be cancerous , which could indicate that the tumor in the leg had distribute while Hen was awake , and thus potentially lead to his dying .

The results from these biopsies are expected to take at least two months , but could solve the brain-teaser of Hen ’s dying days .