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PubMed1996

[Advanced-stage ankylosing spondylitis in a subject in the 8th century].

Paleopathological study of an adult male skeleton, coming from a Hungarian archeological site from the 8th century, revealed lesions of the spine (ankylosing vertebral syndesmophytosis, costo-vertebral ankylosis, discal calcifications), of the sacro-iliacs (bilateral ankylosis) and several extraspinal changes (abnormalities of symphysis pubis, enthesopathies). Radiological and CT investigations confirmed the diagnosis of advanced stage ankylosing spondylitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Ankylosing spondylitis is indigenous to Mesoamerica.

OBJECTIVE: Paleopathology helps to define the origin and the migration of diseases. It has been established that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We investigated whether AS was present in Mesoamerica before contact with the European civilization. METHODS: We studied the collection of Mesoamerican human skeletal remains preserved at the National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico, searching for features of AS. RESULTS: We found one incomplete specimen of a man of the Postclassic period (900-1521 AD). It showed fusion of the vertebral column from T8 to L5 due to ankylosis of the apophyseal joints and of the spinal processes. The pelvis was not preserved. Radiographs demonstrated ossification of both supraspinous and interspinous ligaments. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest AS was present in Mesoamerica before the arrival of Europeans.

History, Ancient↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epigenetic variations and pathologic changes in the cervical vertebrae of the protoneolithic population in Panonia].

Epigenetic variations and pathological alterations of cervical vertebrae in adult individuals inhumated in the Lepenski Vir and Vlasac protoneolithic settlements (c. 7000-5500 years B.C.) are described in the article. These findings were observed in 13 paleopathologic examined skeletons. Degenerative changes, growth alterations and congenital anomalies were noted by a detailed analysis of the vertebrae. Unilateral and bilateral epigenetic variations of foramen transversarium were found in 10 (or 76%) skeletons, and this variance frequency was of particular importance. Variations were classified as follows: (1)-Foramen transversarium duplex; (2)-Foramen transversarium accessorius; (3)-Tuberositas intra foraminis transversarium; (4)-Important diversity of diameters between the left and the right foramen, and (5)-Ribs of vertebra cervicalis VII. The frequent appearance of foramen transversarium epigenetic variations in examined skeletons the author attributes to the process of micro-evolution (gracilization and Mediterranean antropological race forming) already found in this protoneolithic population.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1997

Harris lines: a study of age-associated bias in counting and interpretation.

Harris lines are regularly used in paleopathology as indicators of episodic nonspecific stress, but the methodology for their use has not been clearly established. We studied radiographs of the distal shaft of the tibia in 82 immature and 49 mature subjects from a medieval burial site and compared the number of Harris lines and observer error according to age categories. We found statistically significant differences in both line counts and in observer error by age groups. In conclusion, studies of Harris lines must take into account age variation in order to be validated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Prostatic hyperplasia in the mummy of an italian renaissance prince.

BACKGROUND: Pandolfo III Malatesta (1370-1427) was a leading figure of the Italian Renaissance. He was a valiant soldier and horseman with a very active life style. Historical sources report that he died of a fever in 1427. The tomb, containing his mummified body, has recently been discovered in Fano (Marche, Central Italy). METHODS: After careful X-ray and videographic examination, autopsy was performed to diagnose possible pathologies. Samples of different tissues were collected and rehydrated by Sandison's method and submitted to routine histology processes. Sections of treated tissue were fixed on clean slides, stained with hematoxylin-eosin or Gardner's Trichromic and observed at light microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The autopsy showed good preservation of the skeletal muscles, cartilage, internal and external organs included prostate gland and penis. Macroscopic examination revealed stag-horn calculi (calcium urate) of the left kidney and a severe enlargement of the prostate, with calcifications detectable by X-ray and a large nodule protruding in the lumen of an ectatic urethra. Histology shows fibrous bands of connective and muscular tissue surrounding some circular and oblong lacunae, with no preservation of epithelial structures. The macroscopic and histological picture, showing clear prostatic nodular hyperplasia, makes this the first case described in paleopathology.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2002

Changes in biological anthropology: results of the 1998 American Association of Physical Anthropology Membership Survey.

In response to the results of the 1996 survey of the membership of the American Association of Physical Anthropology (AAPA), the Executive Committee of the Association sponsored a follow-up survey designed to assess gender and specialty differences in training, employment, academic status, mentoring, and research support. A total of 993 questionnaires was analyzed, representing approximately 62% of the 1998 membership of the Association. There has been a marked shift in the number of males and females in the discipline from the 1960s to the 1990s. While 51.2% of all respondents are female and 48.8% are male, 70% of the students are female. Chi-square tests indicate significant differences between males and females by highest degree, age, status, obtaining a tenure-track position, receiving tenure, and taking nontenure-track employment before receiving a tenure-track position. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of females in the ranks of assistant and associate professors; however, this is not true for the rank of professor. There are also significant differences between males and females by specialty within the discipline: researchers in primatology, human biological variation, skeletal biology, and paleopathology are primarily female, while researchers in human and primate evolution are increasingly female.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Probable case of Binder syndrome in a skeleton from Quarai, New Mexico.

Binder syndrome (maxillonasal dysplasia) is a not uncommon disorder reported in the clinical literature and is characterized by hypoplastic development of the midface. An extensive review of the paleopathology literature did not reveal any examples of Binder syndrome. In this paper, a probable case of Binder syndrome in a female skeleton, 16-17 years at age of death, from Quarai, New Mexico (ca. AD 1375-1450) is presented. This case was identified during standard documentation prior to repatriation at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. The skull of this individual (381243) exhibits unusual facial features, including an underdeveloped midface, flattened glabella, absent nasal spine, and apparent alveolar prognathism, in addition to a vertebral anomaly. All of these characteristics are consistent with skeletal dysmorphologies associated with Binder syndrome. Measurements of the Quarai skull are compared with published data on Binder patients and normal control groups in order to quantify the nature of the observed morphology. Univariate analysis of craniometric/cephalometric data provides further support for a diagnosis of Binder syndrome, as critical measurements on the Quarai skull are consistent with those reported in Binder patients and significantly different from those reported for normal control groups. In addition to presenting a probable prehistoric case of Binder syndrome, this paper demonstrates the applicability of using direct comparisons of clinical data to help identify unusual conditions in skeletal remains.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Serpens endocrania symmetrica (SES): a new term and a possible clue for identifying intrathoracic disease in skeletal populations.

This paper describes a phenomenon in the endocranial plate, which we have termed "serpens endocrania symmetrica" (SES), and discusses its value as a diagnostic tool. The affected discolored bone area exhibits disruption of the endocranial surface, lending it a maze-like appearance. Histological sections demonstrate that the process is limited to the most superficial portion of the endocranium, with no diploic and ectocranial involvement (sinus areas excepted). Adult skulls (n = 1,884) from the Hamann-Todd collection (HTH), housed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, were utilized for the present study. SES was recognized in 32 of the 1,884 skulls studied (1.7%). The frequency of SES among individuals reported to have died from tuberculosis (TB) was 4.4%. The rate of SES in the non-TB sample was only 0.53%. The locations were as follows: limited to sinus area, 28.1%; calvarium (excluding the sinuses), 46.9%; sinus + calvarium, 25.0%. SES was bilateral in 90.9% of cases. Twenty-five of the 32 individuals (78.1%) with SES in the HTH collection had tuberculosis specifically listed as the cause of death. Six of the other 7 individuals had infections other than TB. In 29 of the 32 individuals with SES, infection involved structures within the thorax. As SES was also associated with another osteological phenomenon known to represent pulmonary disease, i.e., hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA; 68.0% of SES individuals also had HOA), SES may be of diagnostic value in paleopathology for the recognition of intrathoracic disease, and perhaps tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Brief communication: the Galler Collection: a little-known historic Swiss bone pathology reference series.

The aim of this article is to briefly present the Galler Collection, a little-known historic Swiss bone reference series of high value for paleopathological research. The Galler Collection consists of approximately 600 mostly dry-bone specimens of many major bone diseases dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Clinical information and autopsy reports are available for the majority of specimens. Rarely documented conditions represented in the collection include: severe forms of myositis ossificans progressiva, kyphoscoliosis, endemic cretinism, hypo- and hyperparathyroidism, and phosphorus-induced bone necrosis. At present, the Galler Collection is located at the National History Museum in Basel (Augustinergasse 2, 4001 Basel, Switzerland, Telephone: +41612665500, Fax: +41612665546).

Bone Diseases↗
PubMed2003

Probable destructive meningioma in an archaeological adult male skull from Alaska.

Several intracranial pathological conditions can affect the bones of the skull. The most common cause of these conditions is tumor, but infection and other diseases are also known to affect the bones of the skull. Distinguishing between the various causes of intracranial skeletal pathology in archaeological human remains is usually a challenging exercise, and a specific diagnosis will often be impossible. Meningiomas are tumors that arise in arachnoid tissues embedded in the outer layer of the dura. Because of this association, they occur almost exclusively in the skull and vertebral column. Usually meningiomas are slow-growing tumors that do not metastasize to other organs and tissues of the body. However, rare cases can be malignant and, even when meningiomas are benign, their presence and growth can adversely affect the nervous and vascular supply to other tissues in the skull and vertebral column. Their effect on adjacent bone tissue varies from stimulating bone-forming lesions to causing highly destructive lesions. A few examples of meningioma have been described in the paleopathological literature. Most of these cases are bone-stimulating meningiomas. The case presented here is a probable example of a highly destructive meningioma of the skull base, with unilateral extension into the left side of the cranium. This case is compared with a modern clinical case of destructive intracranial meningioma that was documented both radiographically and pathologically. Destructive meningiomas can be confused with other pathological conditions, including benign and malignant tumors. Criteria for differentiating the diagnostic options are reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Medieval trabecular bone architecture: the influence of age, sex, and lifestyle.

Osteoporosis has become a growing health concern in developed countries and an extensive area of research in skeletal biology. Despite numerous paleopathological studies of bone mass, few studies have measured bone quality in past populations. In order to examine age- and sex-related changes in one aspect of bone quality in the past, a study was made of trabecular bone architecture in a British medieval skeletal sample. X-ray images of 5-mm-thick coronal lumbar vertebral bone sections were taken from a total of 54 adult individuals divided into three age categories (18-29, 30-49, and 50+ years), and examined using image analysis to evaluate parameters related to trabecular bone structure and connectivity. Significant age-related changes in trabecular bone structure (trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and anisotropic ratio (Tb.An)) were observed to occur primarily by middle age with significant differences between the youngest and two older age groups. Neither sex showed continuing change in trabecular structure between the middle and old age groups. Age-related changes in bone connectivity (number of nodes (N.Nd) and node-to-node strut length (Nd.Nd)) similarly indicated a change in bone connectivity only between the youngest and two older age groups. However, females showed no statistical differences among the age groups in bone connectivity. These patterns of trabecular bone loss and fragility contrast with those generally found in modern populations that typically report continuing loss of bone structure and connectivity between middle and old age, and suggest greater loss in females. The patterns of bone loss in the archaeological samples must be interpreted cautiously. We speculate that while nutritional factors may have initiated some bone loss in both sexes, physical activity could have conserved bone architecture in old age in both sexes, and reproductive factors such as high parity and extended periods of lactation could have played a key role in female bone maintenance in this historic population. The study of qualitative elements (such as trabecular architecture) is vital if we are to understand bone maintenance and fragility in the past.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The Upper Paleolithic triple burial of Dolní Vestonice: pathology and funerary behavior.

This work focuses on paleopathological analysis of one of the skeletons from the Gravettian triple burial of Dolní Vestonice (Moravia) and addresses issues of Upper Paleolithic funerary behavior. The burial includes the well-preserved skeletons of three young individuals. The skeleton in the middle (DV 15) is pathological and very problematic to sex; the other two (DV 13 and DV 14) are males and lie in an unusual position. The young age, the possibility of a simultaneous interment, and the position of the three specimens have given rise to speculations about the symbolic significance of this spectacular and intriguing funerary pattern. The pathological condition of the skeleton in the middle further emphasizes its peculiarity. Main pathological changes of the DV 15 skeleton include: asymmetric shortening of the right femur and of left forearm bones, bowing of the right femur, right humerus, and left radius, elongation of fibulae, dysplasias of the vertebral column, and very marked enamel hypoplasias. Scrutiny of the medical literature suggests that the most likely etiology is chondrodysplasia calcificans punctata (CCP) complicated by trauma and early fractures of the upper limbs. CCP is a rare inherited disorder characterized by stippled ossification of the epiphyses. The cartilaginous stippling is a transient phenomenon that disappears during infancy, leaving permanent deformities on affected bones. Among the different forms of CCP, the X-linked dominant form is that resulting in asymmetric shortening and is lethal during early infancy in males. Thus, survival of DV 15 until young adult age would require the specimen to be a female. Clinical findings often associated with the disease (erythemas, ichthyosis, alopecia, cataracts, and joint contractures, among others) would emphasize the singular aspect of this individual, pointing to a condition that should be carefully taken into account when speculating on the significance of that peculiar burial.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Case of metastatic carcinoma from end of the 8th-early 9th century Slovakia.

The first case of metastatic carcinoma ever detected in Slovakia comes from a Slavonic cemetery at Borovce, in the district of Piest'any, which is dated from the end of the 8th to the middle of the 12th century AD. The disease afflicted a 50-60-year-old male, buried in a grave from the older phase of inhumation (8th-early 9th century AD). A number of osteolytic metastases were found in all bones of the skull and postcranial skeleton except for the forearms, hands, lower legs, and feet. They were studied macroscopically by standard X-rays, and by scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Analogous finds from Central European countries were also obtained. They are discussed in relation to their chronology, which shows a tendency of increasing occurrence culminating in the Middle Ages. Some demographic and paleopathological characteristics of the burials in the Borovce cemetery are also provided.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed1976

Ecology of dental disease.

Trace elements in the dental enamel of 43 prehistoric Indians from Illinois, Maryland and Virginia show concentration differences by age, sex and geographical locality. Sample areas on an incisor or first molar were blocked off with paraffin, washed twice with distilled water and etched 7 times with 6N HCl. An optical emission spectrophotometer was used to analyze the 9 samples, representing surface contamination and sequential enamel layers. Al, B, Ba, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Si, Sr, and Ti were present in most samples in micro or trace quantities; other elements were detected with less regularity. Comparisons of the 2 water washes with the 3 superficial, 4 deep and 7 total acid etches, suggest that during burial the residual inorganic portion of the enamel exchanged little or nothing with the soil. Enamel from archeological teeth may therefore be utilized in host factor studies in dental paleopathology. The Jy 50 Illinois Indians differ from the Potomac Creek, Virginia, Indians both in quantities of elements present and in internal sample variability. In each group, the sexes differ in 4 or more elements, both as to content and variability. Similarly, the older half of each sample differs from the younger. Patterns of sex and age difference are irregular, suggesting cultural differences, rather than physiological, in utilizing the environment during enamel-forming years. Enamel composition, as affected by differential environment utilization, may partially explain sex, age and geographical differences in dental pathology rates.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1977

Probable malignancy in a Sadlermiut Eskimo mandible.

The mandible of a Sadlermiut Eskimo woman, age at death 28 to 30 years, displays numerous well-formed formamina concentrated bilaterally around the mental foramina. Differential diagnosis identifies this lesion with highest probability as a metastatic cancerous lesion: of less likelihood are sarcoma, hyperparathyroidism, hemangioma, and osteomyelitis. The specimen deserves attention because identification of malignancy in paleopathological material is uncommon and difficult, and because malignancies in aboriginal Eskimo populations are reputed to have been rare or absent.

Female↗
PubMed1978

Histological enamel indicator of childhood stress in prehistoric skeletal samples.

Although previous paleopathological studies have used disturbances in enamel formation as indicators of childhood stress, the full potential of this technique has not been realized. This paper presents a test case which demonstrates that the frequency of disturbed enamel formation (i.e., Wilson bands) is associated with other stress indicators (i.e., probability of dying and infectious lesions) in three prehistoric skeletal samples representing the Middle Woodland (10.3%), Mississippian Acculturated Late Woodland (21.4%), and the Middle Mississippian (40.0%). Additionally, the mean ages at death of individuals with at least one Wilson band are lower than those without bands. These results suggest that Wilson bands are an indicator of the relative proportion of individuals who are high susceptibles in prehistoric populations. The data also corroborate the hypothesis that the adoption of maize agriculture in the prehistoric American Midwest is associated with increased stress.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1982

Intervertebral osteochondrosis in ancient and modern populations.

Skeletal collections are often useful for determining the frequency and distribution of lesions that would otherwise go unnoticed in the living. This study examines a rather common spinal lesion for which there is little clinical or paleopathologic literature available. In such cases, the anterior aspect of the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebral plates display crescent-shaped lesions suggestive of a form of degeneration known as intervertebral osteochondrosis. A total of 2,628 skeletons from three early American Indian sites and one 20th-century medical-school cadaver population are examined for this lesion. Variables such as age, sex, weight, race, activity patterns, and other biocultural information are considered in relation to the frequency of this lesion. It is suggested that physical stress during the second and third decades of life is largely responsible for this condition. With advancing age the lesions are obliterated and, in effect, become indistinguishable from spondylosis deformans. Familiarity with this condition is necessary in order to better understand degenerative spinal disease and avoid confusion with other spinal diseases such as tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Patterns of enamel hypoplasia in two medieval populations from Nubia's Batn el Hajar.

Analysis of enamel hypoplasia frequencies for two medieval populations representing the earliest and latest Christian periods of ancient Nubia reveals important diachronic shifts in childhood stress. The mean frequency for hypoplastic bands among the early Christians is 4.2, while the late Christian sample has a mean frequency of 3.7. In addition, the earlier Christians show a prolongation of hypoplastic occurrences through childhood corresponding to a prolonged period of intensified childhood mortality. The modal time interval between hypoplastic occurrences is also shorter for the early Christian children. A comparison of hypoplasia frequencies by sex also reveals a pattern of considerable interest. Females show both lower frequencies of hypoplasias as well as a delay in onset. The diachronic differences are consistent with other indications from paleopathology and paleodemography that childhood stress decreased in later Christian times. The sex differences suggest that during the infancy and early childhood females were more resilient than their male counterparts.

Age Factors↗