Some paleopathological cases from a Medieval Necropolis of northern Italy
Main Article Content
Keywords
Legg Calvè Perthes, Biparietal thinning, paleopathology, osteoma, North Italy, Medieval Age
Abstract
This article presents some interesting paleopathological cases from the osteological samp of the medieval church of Sant ‘Agostino in Caravate. The church and the adjacent cemetery area were investigated during the excavation campaigns of 1989, 2002-2003, and 2018-2019. The church, dated the XI-XII century, is characterized by a cemetery function of broad chronology. The excavations made it possible to document a total of twenty-eight structures for funerary use, both primary and secondary. This study included the skeletons of 45 individuals, which allowed us to expand our knowledge of the population of northwestern Lombardy.
References
Anderso, L. A., Erickson, J. A., Severson, E., & Peters, C. L. (2010). Sequelae of Perthes disease treatment with surgical hip
dislocation and relative femoral neck lengthening. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 30(8), 758–766. https://doi.org/10.1097/
bpo.0b013e3181fcbaaf
Acsadi, G., & Nemeskeri, J. (1970). History of human life span and mortality. Akademiai Kiado, Budapest.
Binaghi, M. A. (2001-2002). Caravate (Va), ex chiesa di S. Agostino. Indagini archeologiche, NSAL, 206–208.
Brooks, S. T., & Suchey, J. M. (1990). Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: comparison of the Ascádi-Nemeskéri and Suchey-Brooks methods. Journal of Human Evolution 5, 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02437238
Bruyn, G. W. (1978). Biparietal osteodystrophy. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 80(3), 125–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0303-8467(78)80035-3
Bruzek, J. (2002). A method for visual determination of sex using the human hip bone. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 17(2), 157–168.10.1002/ajpa.10012. PMID: 11815949
Buikstra, J. E., & Roberts, C. A. (2012). The Global History of Paleopathology: Pioneers and Prospects. Oxford University Press.
Camp, J. D., & Nash, L. A. (1994). Developmental thinness of the parietal bones. Radiology 42(1), 42–47.
Chaudhry, S., Phillips, D., & Feldman, D. (2014). Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease an overview with recent literature. Bulletin of the
NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases72(1), 18–27.
Chimenos-Küstner, E., Pascual, M., Blanco, I., & Finestres, F. (2005) Hereditary familial polyposis and Gardner’s syndrome: contribution of the odonto-stomatology examination in its diagnosis and a case description. Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral, Cirugia Bucal , 10(5), 402–409.
Cederlund, C. G., Andre´n, L., & Olivecrona, H. (1982). Progressive bilateral thinning of the parietal bones. Skeletal Radiology 8(1), 29– 33. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00361365
Di Girolamo, S., Flora, B., Passali, FM, Di Mauro, R., Martino, F., Fuccillo, E., & Giacomini, P. G. (2019). Is there any association between Nasal Polyposis and Osteoma? A retrospective analysis of the incidence of Paranasal Sinus Osteoma among 600 patients treated for Nasal Polyposis. Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 35(9). https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-1759.000093
Dolan, K. D., Seibert, J, & Seibert, R. W. (1973). Gardner’s syndrome. A model for correlative radiology. The American Journal of Roentgenology Radium Therapy and Nuclear Medicine, 119(2), 359–364.
Dutta, P. C. (1969). Bilateral parietal thinning in bronze age skull. British Medical Journal, 4,1(5635), 55.
Eshed, V., Latimer. B., Greenwald, C. M., Jellema, L. M., Rothschild, B. M., Wish-Baratz, & S., Hershkovitz I. (2007). Button osteoma: its etiology and pathophysiology. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 18(3), 217–230. https://doi.org/10.1002/ ajpa.10087
Epstein, B. S. (1953). The concurrence of parietal thinness with postmenopausal, senile, or idiopathic osteoporosis. Radiology
60(1), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1148/60.1.29
Frigerio, S., Mazza, S., & Pisoni, P. (1975). Il vasso Eremberto e la donazione a S. Primo di Leggiuno. Rivista della società storica
Varesina XII, 51–84.
Fournier, A. M., Vague, P., & Lafon, J. (1968) L’auto-re´sorption en bande syme´trique du diploe´ parie´tal (malum biparietale). Journal Radiol È lectr, 49, 347–356.
Fusco, R., Licata, M., Larentis, O., Cermesoni, B., Ravagnan, A., Ciliberti, R., Pinto, A., & Tesi, C. (2020). ‘‘Mummies outside their closets’’. Paleoradiological investigation of Egyptian mummified remains. Foresic Imaging, 22, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fri.2020.200397
Fusco, R., Omar, L., & Tesi, C. (2022). Paleopathological evidence of Legg-Calve’-Perthes from the medieval cemetery of
St. Agostino in Caravate, Northwestern Italy. Medicina Historica 5(3), e2021025.
Ghidotti, F., & Mariotti, V. (1988-1989). Caravate (VA). Chiesa di Sant’Agostino. Notiziario della Soprintendenza archeologica
della Lombardia, 313–315.
Giuffra, V, Minozzi, S., Riccomi, G., Naccarato, A. G., Castagna, M., Lencioni, R., Chericoni, S., Mongelli, V., & Felici, C. (2019). Multiple osteomata from medieval Tuscany, Italy (ca. 10th-12th AD). International Journal of Paleopathology 25, 56 61.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2019.04.003
Grainger, R. G., Allison, D.J., Adam, A., Gillard, J., & Schaefer-Prokop, C. (2021). Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. Churchill Livingstone.
Sanati-Mehrizy, P., Graziano, F. D., Naidich, T., & Taub, P. J. (2020). Characterization of Bilateral Parietal Thinning Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 31(3), e288–e291
Herrerín, J., & Gallarda, M.D. (2012). Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease and unifocal eosinophilic granuloma in a Visigoth from the Duratón necropolis (Segovia, Spain). International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 22(1), 86–97. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.1189
Kim, Y., Triolo, M., & Hood, D. A. (2017). Impact of Aging and Exercise on Mitochondrial Quality Control in Skeletal Muscle. Oxid Med Cell Longev.
Kozlowski, K., & Beighton, P. (1995). Gamut index of Skeletal Dysplasias: An Aid to Radiodiagnosis. 2nd Ed. Springer Verlag.
Licata, M., Tonina, E., Ciliberti, R., Fusco, R., Tesi, C., & Larentis, O. (2022). Could the study of ancient human remains help the modern clinic? Interpreting multiple osteomas, a difficult challenge. Medicina Historica, 6(S1), e2022030.
Licata, M., Larentis, O. Tesi, C., Fusco, R., & Ciliberti, R. (2021). Tourism in the Time of Coronavirus. The fruition of the “Minor Heritage” through the Development of Bioarchaeological Sites. A Proposal. Heritage, 4(2), 759–774. https://doi. org/10.3390/heritage4020042
Licata, M., Larentis, O., Badino, P., Fusco, R. & Tesi, C. (2020). Toward the valorization of our anthropological and paleopathological heritage. The musealization of the osteoarchaeological contexts. Medicina Historica, 4(1), 45–46.
Licata, M., Borgo, M., Armocida, G., Nicosia, L., & Ferioli, E. (2016). Diagnosis of multiple osteomas in an ancient skeleton
discovered in the necropolis of Caravate - Northern Italy. European Journal of Oncology, 21(4), 238–242.
Licata, M., Borgo, M., Nicosia, L., & Iorio, S. (2016). Case study: The complexity of confirming the diagnoses of Gardner
Syndrome in a medieval woman. Radiography, 22(4), 269–270.
Lovejoy, C. O., Meindl, R. S., Pryzbeck, T. R., & Mensforth, R. P. (1985). Chronological metamorphosis of the auricular surface
of the ilium: a new method for the determination of adult skeletal age at death. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 68, (1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330680103
Mallegni, F. (1976). Un caso di assottigliamento biparietale simmetrico in un calvario della necropoli eneolitica del Gaudo.
Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali, 83, 31–41.
Manzon, V. S., Ferrante, Z., Giganti, M., & Gualdi-Russo, E. (2017). On the antiquity of Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease: Skeletal evidence in Iron Age Italy. Homo, 68(1), 10–17. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jchb.2016.11.002
Mariotti, V. (2001). Chiese rurali dell’area varesina. Scavi archeologici 1988-1993, RA Como, 18, 89–119.
Nevelos, A. B. (1986). Perthes’ disease: the family tree. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 209, 13–22.
Ortner, D. J. (2011). Human skeletal paleopathology. International Journal of Paleopathology, 1(1), 4-11. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2011.01.002
Passalacqua, N. V., (2009). Forensic age-at-death estimation from the human sacrum Journal of Forensic Science 54(2), 255– 262. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00977.x
Phenice, T. W. (1969). A newly developed visual method of sexing the os pubis. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 30(2),297–301. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330300214
Phillips, R. C. (2007). Cranial anomaly, pathology, or normal variant? Thin parietal bones in ancient Egyptian human remains.
Dissertations available from ProQuest. Paper AAI3292064.
Rawcliffe, C. (2006). Leprosy in Medieval England. Boydell Press.
Roberts, C. A., & Manchester, K. (2005). The Archaeology of Disease. Sutton Publishing, Stroud.
Rosenfeld, S. B., Herring, J. A., & Chao, J. C. (2007). Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease: a review of cases with onset before six
years of age. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, 89(12), 2712–2722.
Rougé-Maillart, C., Vielle, B., Jousset, N., Chappard, D., Telmon, N., & Cunha, E. (2009). Development of a method to estimate skeletal age at death in adults using the acetabulum and the auricular surface on a Portuguese population. Forensic Science International, 188(1-3), 91–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.019
Schwarz, E. (1986). A typical disease of the upper femoral epiphysis. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 209, 5–12.
Spranger, J. W., Brill, P. W., & Posnanski, A. K. (2002). Bone Dysplasias: An Atlas of Genetic Disorders of Skeletal Development.
Oxford University Press, Oxford. Strouhal, E., Vyhnanek, L., Horackova, L., Benesova, L., & Nemeckova, A. (1996). Malign Tumours of the People from the 8 Ossuary at Krtiny (Czech Republic). International Journal of Paleopathology 8, 5–24.
Thompson, G. H., & Salter, R. B. (1986). Legg–Calve–Perthes Disease. Clinical Symposia, 38(2).
Tonina, E., Larentis, O., Tesi, C., Fusco., Campagnolo M., & Licata, M. (2021). A severe case of biparietal thinning in a
medieval skull from a northern Italy necropolis. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery 33 (1), 70–75.
Trotter, M., & Gleser, G. C. (1952). Corrigenda to the estimation of stature from long bones of American whites and Negroes. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 47, 355–356.
Virchow, R. (1854). Uber die Involutionskrankheit (Malumsenile) der platen Knochen. Verh Phys Med Ges Wu¨rzburg, 4, 333–354.
dislocation and relative femoral neck lengthening. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 30(8), 758–766. https://doi.org/10.1097/
bpo.0b013e3181fcbaaf
Acsadi, G., & Nemeskeri, J. (1970). History of human life span and mortality. Akademiai Kiado, Budapest.
Binaghi, M. A. (2001-2002). Caravate (Va), ex chiesa di S. Agostino. Indagini archeologiche, NSAL, 206–208.
Brooks, S. T., & Suchey, J. M. (1990). Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: comparison of the Ascádi-Nemeskéri and Suchey-Brooks methods. Journal of Human Evolution 5, 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02437238
Bruyn, G. W. (1978). Biparietal osteodystrophy. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 80(3), 125–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0303-8467(78)80035-3
Bruzek, J. (2002). A method for visual determination of sex using the human hip bone. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 17(2), 157–168.10.1002/ajpa.10012. PMID: 11815949
Buikstra, J. E., & Roberts, C. A. (2012). The Global History of Paleopathology: Pioneers and Prospects. Oxford University Press.
Camp, J. D., & Nash, L. A. (1994). Developmental thinness of the parietal bones. Radiology 42(1), 42–47.
Chaudhry, S., Phillips, D., & Feldman, D. (2014). Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease an overview with recent literature. Bulletin of the
NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases72(1), 18–27.
Chimenos-Küstner, E., Pascual, M., Blanco, I., & Finestres, F. (2005) Hereditary familial polyposis and Gardner’s syndrome: contribution of the odonto-stomatology examination in its diagnosis and a case description. Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral, Cirugia Bucal , 10(5), 402–409.
Cederlund, C. G., Andre´n, L., & Olivecrona, H. (1982). Progressive bilateral thinning of the parietal bones. Skeletal Radiology 8(1), 29– 33. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00361365
Di Girolamo, S., Flora, B., Passali, FM, Di Mauro, R., Martino, F., Fuccillo, E., & Giacomini, P. G. (2019). Is there any association between Nasal Polyposis and Osteoma? A retrospective analysis of the incidence of Paranasal Sinus Osteoma among 600 patients treated for Nasal Polyposis. Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 35(9). https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-1759.000093
Dolan, K. D., Seibert, J, & Seibert, R. W. (1973). Gardner’s syndrome. A model for correlative radiology. The American Journal of Roentgenology Radium Therapy and Nuclear Medicine, 119(2), 359–364.
Dutta, P. C. (1969). Bilateral parietal thinning in bronze age skull. British Medical Journal, 4,1(5635), 55.
Eshed, V., Latimer. B., Greenwald, C. M., Jellema, L. M., Rothschild, B. M., Wish-Baratz, & S., Hershkovitz I. (2007). Button osteoma: its etiology and pathophysiology. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 18(3), 217–230. https://doi.org/10.1002/ ajpa.10087
Epstein, B. S. (1953). The concurrence of parietal thinness with postmenopausal, senile, or idiopathic osteoporosis. Radiology
60(1), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1148/60.1.29
Frigerio, S., Mazza, S., & Pisoni, P. (1975). Il vasso Eremberto e la donazione a S. Primo di Leggiuno. Rivista della società storica
Varesina XII, 51–84.
Fournier, A. M., Vague, P., & Lafon, J. (1968) L’auto-re´sorption en bande syme´trique du diploe´ parie´tal (malum biparietale). Journal Radiol È lectr, 49, 347–356.
Fusco, R., Licata, M., Larentis, O., Cermesoni, B., Ravagnan, A., Ciliberti, R., Pinto, A., & Tesi, C. (2020). ‘‘Mummies outside their closets’’. Paleoradiological investigation of Egyptian mummified remains. Foresic Imaging, 22, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fri.2020.200397
Fusco, R., Omar, L., & Tesi, C. (2022). Paleopathological evidence of Legg-Calve’-Perthes from the medieval cemetery of
St. Agostino in Caravate, Northwestern Italy. Medicina Historica 5(3), e2021025.
Ghidotti, F., & Mariotti, V. (1988-1989). Caravate (VA). Chiesa di Sant’Agostino. Notiziario della Soprintendenza archeologica
della Lombardia, 313–315.
Giuffra, V, Minozzi, S., Riccomi, G., Naccarato, A. G., Castagna, M., Lencioni, R., Chericoni, S., Mongelli, V., & Felici, C. (2019). Multiple osteomata from medieval Tuscany, Italy (ca. 10th-12th AD). International Journal of Paleopathology 25, 56 61.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2019.04.003
Grainger, R. G., Allison, D.J., Adam, A., Gillard, J., & Schaefer-Prokop, C. (2021). Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. Churchill Livingstone.
Sanati-Mehrizy, P., Graziano, F. D., Naidich, T., & Taub, P. J. (2020). Characterization of Bilateral Parietal Thinning Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 31(3), e288–e291
Herrerín, J., & Gallarda, M.D. (2012). Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease and unifocal eosinophilic granuloma in a Visigoth from the Duratón necropolis (Segovia, Spain). International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 22(1), 86–97. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.1189
Kim, Y., Triolo, M., & Hood, D. A. (2017). Impact of Aging and Exercise on Mitochondrial Quality Control in Skeletal Muscle. Oxid Med Cell Longev.
Kozlowski, K., & Beighton, P. (1995). Gamut index of Skeletal Dysplasias: An Aid to Radiodiagnosis. 2nd Ed. Springer Verlag.
Licata, M., Tonina, E., Ciliberti, R., Fusco, R., Tesi, C., & Larentis, O. (2022). Could the study of ancient human remains help the modern clinic? Interpreting multiple osteomas, a difficult challenge. Medicina Historica, 6(S1), e2022030.
Licata, M., Larentis, O. Tesi, C., Fusco, R., & Ciliberti, R. (2021). Tourism in the Time of Coronavirus. The fruition of the “Minor Heritage” through the Development of Bioarchaeological Sites. A Proposal. Heritage, 4(2), 759–774. https://doi. org/10.3390/heritage4020042
Licata, M., Larentis, O., Badino, P., Fusco, R. & Tesi, C. (2020). Toward the valorization of our anthropological and paleopathological heritage. The musealization of the osteoarchaeological contexts. Medicina Historica, 4(1), 45–46.
Licata, M., Borgo, M., Armocida, G., Nicosia, L., & Ferioli, E. (2016). Diagnosis of multiple osteomas in an ancient skeleton
discovered in the necropolis of Caravate - Northern Italy. European Journal of Oncology, 21(4), 238–242.
Licata, M., Borgo, M., Nicosia, L., & Iorio, S. (2016). Case study: The complexity of confirming the diagnoses of Gardner
Syndrome in a medieval woman. Radiography, 22(4), 269–270.
Lovejoy, C. O., Meindl, R. S., Pryzbeck, T. R., & Mensforth, R. P. (1985). Chronological metamorphosis of the auricular surface
of the ilium: a new method for the determination of adult skeletal age at death. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 68, (1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330680103
Mallegni, F. (1976). Un caso di assottigliamento biparietale simmetrico in un calvario della necropoli eneolitica del Gaudo.
Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali, 83, 31–41.
Manzon, V. S., Ferrante, Z., Giganti, M., & Gualdi-Russo, E. (2017). On the antiquity of Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease: Skeletal evidence in Iron Age Italy. Homo, 68(1), 10–17. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jchb.2016.11.002
Mariotti, V. (2001). Chiese rurali dell’area varesina. Scavi archeologici 1988-1993, RA Como, 18, 89–119.
Nevelos, A. B. (1986). Perthes’ disease: the family tree. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 209, 13–22.
Ortner, D. J. (2011). Human skeletal paleopathology. International Journal of Paleopathology, 1(1), 4-11. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2011.01.002
Passalacqua, N. V., (2009). Forensic age-at-death estimation from the human sacrum Journal of Forensic Science 54(2), 255– 262. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00977.x
Phenice, T. W. (1969). A newly developed visual method of sexing the os pubis. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 30(2),297–301. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330300214
Phillips, R. C. (2007). Cranial anomaly, pathology, or normal variant? Thin parietal bones in ancient Egyptian human remains.
Dissertations available from ProQuest. Paper AAI3292064.
Rawcliffe, C. (2006). Leprosy in Medieval England. Boydell Press.
Roberts, C. A., & Manchester, K. (2005). The Archaeology of Disease. Sutton Publishing, Stroud.
Rosenfeld, S. B., Herring, J. A., & Chao, J. C. (2007). Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease: a review of cases with onset before six
years of age. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, 89(12), 2712–2722.
Rougé-Maillart, C., Vielle, B., Jousset, N., Chappard, D., Telmon, N., & Cunha, E. (2009). Development of a method to estimate skeletal age at death in adults using the acetabulum and the auricular surface on a Portuguese population. Forensic Science International, 188(1-3), 91–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.019
Schwarz, E. (1986). A typical disease of the upper femoral epiphysis. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 209, 5–12.
Spranger, J. W., Brill, P. W., & Posnanski, A. K. (2002). Bone Dysplasias: An Atlas of Genetic Disorders of Skeletal Development.
Oxford University Press, Oxford. Strouhal, E., Vyhnanek, L., Horackova, L., Benesova, L., & Nemeckova, A. (1996). Malign Tumours of the People from the 8 Ossuary at Krtiny (Czech Republic). International Journal of Paleopathology 8, 5–24.
Thompson, G. H., & Salter, R. B. (1986). Legg–Calve–Perthes Disease. Clinical Symposia, 38(2).
Tonina, E., Larentis, O., Tesi, C., Fusco., Campagnolo M., & Licata, M. (2021). A severe case of biparietal thinning in a
medieval skull from a northern Italy necropolis. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery 33 (1), 70–75.
Trotter, M., & Gleser, G. C. (1952). Corrigenda to the estimation of stature from long bones of American whites and Negroes. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 47, 355–356.
Virchow, R. (1854). Uber die Involutionskrankheit (Malumsenile) der platen Knochen. Verh Phys Med Ges Wu¨rzburg, 4, 333–354.
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Fusco R. Some paleopathological cases from a Medieval Necropolis of northern Italy. JBR [Internet]. 2023 Feb. 7 [cited 2024 Jul. 17];1(1):e2023005. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/JBR/article/view/13985
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How to Cite
1.
Fusco R. Some paleopathological cases from a Medieval Necropolis of northern Italy. JBR [Internet]. 2023 Feb. 7 [cited 2024 Jul. 17];1(1):e2023005. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/JBR/article/view/13985