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Published on: September 8, 2023
Evaluating an osteoid osteoma of the zygomatic bone: A macromorphological and micro-CT study
Veda Mikasinovic1, Jelena Jadzic2, Marija Djurić2
1Center of Bone Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića no. 4/2, Belgrade 11000, Serbia; Center for Forensic and Applied Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg no. 16, Belgrade 11000, Serbia.
Objective:
Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a benign, ovoid-shaped bone neoplasm that predominantly affects long bones of the lower limbs, making its presence on a zygomatic bone exceptionally rare. This paper evaluates a case of zygomatic OO, analyzed by integration of macroscopic and high-resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) assessment.
Materials:
The skeletal remains of a 35-50-year-old male from grave 62/2, Site 40 (Avar-period necropolis Site 40, Potes Gornje Sajlovo, northern Serbia), dated between the 7th and 9th centuries CE, were analyzed.
Methods:
We performed bioanthropological and paleopathological analyses of skeletal material, along with high-resolution micro-CT imaging of the zygomatic lesion.
Results:
A well-circumscribed, protruding mass was identified on the left zygomatic bone. The lesion measured 15.93 mm antero-posterior and 14.92 mm medio-lateral, with a 6.74 mm-long centrally positioned nidus surrounded by sclerotic bone.
Conclusions:
Our study represents a rare case of craniofacial OO in an archaeological population, highlighting the diagnostic value of micro-CT in paleopathology.
Significance:
Documenting OO in an archaeological context contributes to understanding the prevalence and presentation of benign bone neoplasms, potentially offering insights into the evolution of tumor biology.
Limitations:
As this is a single-case study, generalizations are limited. Nevertheless, it provides novel micro-CT findings of the OO of the zygomatic bone, highlighting the need for broader application in paleopathological research to establish standard diagnostic criteria.
Suggestions For Further Research:
Further research should employ a multidisciplinary and multi-scale approach to investigate this or similar skeletal pathological conditions from archaeological contexts at the population level.
