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Mastoid osteoma in a prehispanic cranium (1390 A.D.) from Northern Chile
Mario Castro1, Marcos Goycoolea2, Marcelo Galvez3
1Department of Morphology, School of Medicine, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Av. Las Condes 12438, Santiago 7710162, Chile; Department of Museums, Servicio Nacional del Patrimonio, Av. Recoleta 683, Santiago 8420260, Chile.
International Journal of Paleopathology
|November 3, 2018
Summary
This study reports the oldest known case of a mastoid osteoma, a benign skull tumor, found in a Pre-Hispanic cranium from Chile. High-resolution imaging confirmed the rare paleopathological finding.
Area of Science:
- Paleopathology
- Oncology
- Bioarchaeology
Background:
- Osteomas are benign, slow-growing tumors typically affecting the skull.
- Mastoid osteomas are exceptionally rare, with few documented cases in medical and paleopathological literature.
- This study focuses on a rare paleopathological case of a mastoid osteoma.
Observation:
- A Pre-Hispanic adult cranium from Northern Chile (1390 A.D.) was examined.
- Macroscopic examination and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) were employed.
- A well-demarcated lesion consistent with a mastoid osteoma was identified via CT scan.
Findings:
- The CT scan revealed a lesion highly suggestive of a mastoid osteoma.
- This represents a rare paleopathological finding, potentially the oldest reported case of mastoid osteoma.
- The study highlights the utility of advanced imaging in paleopathological research.
Implications:
- This discovery provides evidence for the antiquity of primary neoplasms in ancient populations.
- It underscores the importance of high-resolution imaging techniques in paleopathological studies.
- Further research on skeletal collections is recommended to understand the epidemiology of neoplastic lesions in past populations.
