Multiple osteomata from medieval Tuscany, Italy (ca. 10th-12th AD)

A comparative approach to bony changes in maxillary and frontal sinuses as indicators of upper respiratory health

OBJECTIVE

The central aspect of this study is to provide a detailed comparison of bony changes in the maxillary and frontal sinuses in human skeletal remains in an effort to assist researchers record lesions and assist with potential diagnoses.

MATERIALS

198 adult human remains from a medieval Avar population from Vienna, Austria.

METHODS

Analysis of bony changes using an endoscopic multifunctional camera with an ultra-small lens and adjustable LED lights.

RESULTS

Most common findings in both the maxillary and frontal sinuses are "pitting" and "white pitted bone". However, significant differences between the maxillary and frontal sinuses regarding the frequency and variation of bony lesions exist.

CONCLUSION

The maxillary sinuses exhibited significantly greater prevalence of bony changes compared to the frontal sinuses but frontal sinuses, which generally are less frequently affected by inflammatory, malignant, or benign lesions, may ultimately provide more informative insights in paleopathological studies concerning the health of the upper airways than the maxillary sinuses.

SIGNIFICANCE

Considering that most paleopathological studies on paranasal sinuses focus primarily on the maxillary sinuses, this study provides comparative data on the diversity of bony changes found in the frontal sinuses as a means to assist paleopathological recording and potentially eventual diagnosis.

LIMITATIONS

The lack of knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying individual bony features complicates interpretation, particularly in paleopathological studies.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

A further examination of all paranasal sinuses (including the sphenoid sinuses and ethmoidal cells) is recommended.

Solitary osteochondromas in paleo-oncology: A case report from 4th-century BCE Pontecagnano (southern Italy)

OBJECTIVE

This study presents a new case of solitary osteochondroma (SOC) identified on the proximal tibia of a 4th-century BCE individual from Pontecagnano (Salerno, Italy) with an aim to contribute to differential diagnosis of bone tumors in archeological contexts.

MATERIALS

Paleopathological assessment of a male individual with an estimated age-at death of 45.9-62.9 years brought to light during the archaeological excavations in the funerary sector of 'Sica de Concillis' within the necropolis of Pontecagnano.

METHODS

Macroscopic and radiographic analyses were performed for diagnostic purposes.

RESULTS

The proximal portion of the right tibia exhibited a large exophytic bone formation extending from the anteromedial to the posteromedial portion of the diaphysis. The x-ray confirmed the lesion being characterized by regular trabecular bone tissue with cortico-medullary continuity.

CONCLUSIONS

The lesion observed is diagnostic of sessile SOC, a neoplasm that must have had aesthetic and, possibly, neurovascular complications due to its large size.

SIGNIFICANCE

By offering a detailed description of a case of tibial osteochondroma and discussing the possible complications the individual might have experienced during life, this study highlights the role and importance of benign bone tumors in paleo-oncology.

LIMITATIONS

Histological analysis was not carried out in order to preserve the integrity of the affected tibia.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

More attention should be devoted to benign tumors in paleopathology as their occurrence and manifestations in the past will lead to a better understanding of their impacts on the quality of life of affected individuals and to greater knowledge of their natural history.

Osteoma of the zygomatic bone from 16th century Sardinia (Italy) in the framework of a paleoepidemiological study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to evaluate a case of osteoma of the zygomatic bone in a post-medieval individual in the context of a paleoepidemiological approach.

MATERIALS

Forty-five skulls from the plague cemetery of Alghero (Sardinia, Italy), dating back to the end of the 16th century, were evaluated for the presence of osteomata on the outer surface of the cranial vault and facial bones.

METHODS

Macroscopic examination was performed using standard anthropological methods. The bone presenting the lesion was submitted to radiological examination through cone beam; a 3D reconstruction was obtained with a surface 3D scanner.

RESULTS

Only one case of osteoma was observed in an adolescent aged 13-15 years, located on the right zygomatic bone. The lesion consisted of a rounded mass of 0.5 cm in diameter composed of compact bone, as also the radiographic study demonstrates. The prevalence of osteoma on the outer surface of the cranial vault and facial bones in the population of Alghero was 2.2 %.

CONCLUSIONS

This case offers the opportunity to enrich the knowledge about the presence of benign tumors among past populations and to evaluate this lesion in dry bone.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study provides paleoepidemiological data on the scarce area of benign tumors in paleo-oncology and presents the first documented osteoma of the zygomatic bone in paleopathology.

LIMITATION

Histological study was not performed for conservative issues.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

Increasing the attention to benign tumors is essential to deepen our knowledge about paleoepidemiology of neoplastic lesions.