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O Dutour

Publications and source records attributed to O Dutour.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Hyperostosis frontalis interna: an anthropological perspective.

Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) is manifested by the accretion of bone on the inner table of the frontal bone. Despite the vast literature on HFI, ambiguity exists as to its etiology, osteogenesis, demography, and history. This stimulated the present broad-scale study of HFI which included the evaluation of 1,706 early 20th century skulls (1,007 males and 699 females) from the Hamann-Todd and Terry human osteological collections, as well as 2,019 pre-19th century East-Mediterranean, Amerindian, and Central European skulls. In addition, 72 cadavers were dissected for gross inspection and histology. Special attention was paid to the relationship of the brain and meninges to endocranial lesions. HFI is an independent condition, not a symptom of a more generalized syndrome as suggested in the past. It can appear in a variety of forms but each is the result of the same process and probably of the same etiology. Investigators' previous failure to recognize the mild stages of HFI (types A and B) as an early form of the general HFI process led to erroneous statistics and interpretations of observations. HFI should also be considered a phenomenon separate from HCI, hyperostosis cranialis diffusa (HCD), and other endostoses, even when it appears in association with them. To avoid ambiguity and facilitate the description of cranial hyperostoses, uniform nomenclature (HFI, HCD) has been recommended. HFI is rarely seen in historic populations, regardless of geographical origin. It is most commonly found among females and is believed to be associated with prolonged estrogen stimulation. While its magnitude of manifestation and frequency are much higher in females, HFI is not a purely female phenomenon. Males with hormonal disturbances such as atrophic testis were found to manifest HFI type D. HFI is associated with age insofar as it is much less frequent in females under 40 years of age. Although advanced cases of HFI (types C and D) have been observed in individuals as young as 40 years of age, it is more frequently found after age 60. The frequency of HFI type D will not increase from age 60. Type-predicted analysis by cohort reveals significant ethnic differences. Changes in African American (AA) females appear earlier in life and progress more rapidly than in European American (EA) females. Analysis of radiographs shows a discrepancy between the anatomic prevalence of HFI and its radiological recognition, which is very poor for mild cases. This apparently resulted in the misconceptions that HFI is entirely an old-age phenomenon, and that it is exclusively female. Histological analysis shows that the inner table along with the closely attached dural layer play a major role in the osteogenesis of HFI. Contrary to previous models, no evidence for diploe or ectocranial plate involvement was found. Cadaver study suggests that the predilection for the frontal area may be related to an altered blood supply and/or vascular stretching.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Detection of 400-year-old Yersinia pestis DNA in human dental pulp: an approach to the diagnosis of ancient septicemia.

Ancient septicemic plague epidemics were reported to have killed millions of people for 2 millenniums. However, confident diagnosis of ancient septicemia solely on the basis of historical clinical observations is not possible. The lack of suitable infected material has prevented direct demonstration of ancient septicemia; thus, the history of most infections such as plague remains hypothetical. The durability of dental pulp, together with its natural sterility, makes it a suitable material on which to base such research. We hypothesized that it would be a lasting refuge for Yersinia pestis, the plague agent. DNA extracts were made from the dental pulp of 12 unerupted teeth extracted from skeletons excavated from 16th and 18th century French graves of persons thought to have died of plague ("plague teeth") and from 7 ancient negative control teeth. PCRs incorporating ancient DNA extracts and primers specific for the human beta-globin gene demonstrated the absence of inhibitors in these preparations. The incorporation of primers specific for Y. pestis rpoB (the RNA polymerase beta-subunit-encoding gene) and the recognized virulence-associated pla (the plasminogen activator-encoding gene) repeatedly yielded products that had a nucleotide sequence indistinguishable from that of modern day isolates of the bacterium. The specific pla sequence was obtained from 6 of 12 plague skeleton teeth but 0 of 7 negative controls (P < 0.034, Fisher exact test). A nucleic acid-based confirmation of ancient plague was achieved for historically identified victims, and we have confirmed the presence of the disease at the end of 16th century in France. Dental pulp is an attractive target in the quest to determine the etiology of septicemic illnesses detected in ancient corpses. Molecular techniques could be applied to this material to resolve historical outbreaks.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Clues potentially distinguishing lytic lesions of multiple myeloma from those of metastatic carcinoma.

This study was conducted to determine whether individual bony lesions are specific for recognizing multiple myeloma and thereby distinguish it from metastatic cancer and leukemia. The lytic skeletal lesions of multiple myeloma are characterized by sharply defined, spheroid lesions. They have smooth borders and effaced/erased trabeculae. Unique spheroid myeloma lesions appear to be responsible for the "punched out" appearance of affected bone. The total absence of remodeling in myeloma forms a contrast to irregular preservation of trabeculae and buttressing, isolated "fronts of" cortical bone "resorption" coalescing to confluence, and the "golf-ball surface" phenomenon observed in metastatic cancer. The uniform effacement of both cortical and trabecular bone in multiple myeloma also contrasts with some cortical preservation in metastatic cancer. Leukemic lesions are more numerous than those of myeloma, but they lack the latter's "space-occupied" appearance. The relatively small holes and "fronts of resorption" of leukemia are quite different from the "space-occupied" lesions of multiple myeloma. Uniform size is a characteristic traditionally attributed to the bone lesions of multiple myeloma. The occurrence of isolated examples of uniform size lesions in metastatic cancer and of variable size lesions in some individuals with multiple myeloma precludes unequivocal use of size in differential diagnosis. Fortunately, the newly recognized macroscopic characteristics appear to separate multiple myeloma from metastatic cancer, and also distinguish myeloma from leukemia.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1998

Clues to recognition of fungal origin of lytic skeletal lesions.

The present study addresses the specificity of lytic osseous impact for distinguishing among metastatic cancer, tuberculosis, and fungal disease. Osseous impact is used in this manuscript as a convention to describe the macroscopic appearance of defleshed bones affected by the disease. Osseous changes in the skeleton of a 47-year-old black male, diagnosed in life as having blastomycosis, were characterized and compared to lytic lesions observed in ten individuals with tuberculosis and six with metastatic cancer in the Terry and Hamman-Todd Collections. Apparent distinguishing characteristics are identified. Eroded areas, present as fronts of resorption or the result of space-occupying masses in blastomycosis, with protruding, short, blunt, 1 x 2 mm spicules of new bone, are surrounded by periosteal reaction. These differed from smooth zones of resorption and coalesced lesions, with a smoothed marginal zone and space-occupied appearance--bone-displacing mass--in tuberculosis and lytic (nonpermeative) lesions of metastatic cancer. Displacing is a convention (an artificial term) denoting bone resorption and reformation at the outer edge of the tumor mass, giving the impression that the surrounding bone had expanded beyond its original margins. Irregular trabeculae are occasionally preserved in the margins, but remodeling in the form of blunting of those trabeculae is not observed macroscopically in either tuberculosis or metastatic cancer. Two apparently specific lesion types are noted in blastomycosis. Periosteal reaction surrounding fronts of resorption appears specific, at least for nonarticular osseous lytic lesions, among the three entities studied. Remodeling of isolated internal trabeculae in the space-occupying mass lesions of blastomycosis also appears unique among the three disorders studied. Comparison with coccidioidomycosis suggests that extrapolation of blastomycosis findings to other fungal diseases is feasible; description of additional clinically diagnosed cases is awaited.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed1998

[Epidemic recrudescence of the Great Plague in Marseille (May-July 1722): excavation of a mass grave].

The return of some infectious disease has stimulated specialists to study historical aspects of human infections. A major model for this study is Yersinia pestis which has had a great impact on human demography due to the fact that it is highly contagious and has a high mortality rate similar to that of the most lethal viral pathogenic agents. We carried out excavation of a mass grave containing the bodies of victims of an outbreak of bubonic plague that occurred in Marseille from 1720 to 1722. More than 200 skeletons were uncovered from the grave known as the Observance (second district in Marseille). In conjunction with laboratory testing, archival records were studied to determine the conditions and dates surrounding the use of this mass grave and to explain certain findings made at the site. This multidisciplinary approach revealed previously unknown facts concerning the Great Plague and provided new insight into recrudescence of the epidemic in 1722.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1997

Identification of childhood arthritis in archaeological material: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis versus juvenile spondyloarthropathy.

The opportunity to examine the defleshed skeleton of an individual diagnosed in life (Hamann-Todd collection, individual 2036) afforded a unique opportunity to demonstrate the bone damage characteristic of at least one form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Characteristics helpful for recognition of JRA in archaeological material include peripheral articular marginal and subchondral erosions, axial (e.g., zygapophyseal or sacroiliac) joint erosions, fusion of axial (cervical zygapophyseal) and/or peripheral joints, premature epiphyseal closure and/or ballooned epiphyses, growth retardation with underdeveloped (short and overtubulated) long bones, short mandibular rami with underdeveloped condyles and concomitant micrognathia, and demineralization (osteopenia). Distinguishing between JRA and juvenile spondyloarthropathy, however, is not always possible, as illustrated by this case.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed1997

Recognition of leukemia in skeletal remains: report and comparison of two cases.

Recognition of disease in the archeologic record is facilitated by characterization of the skeletal impact of documented (in life) disease. The present study describes the osteological manifestations of leukemia as identified in the skeletons of two individuals diagnosed during life: a 3-year-old black girl with acute lymphocytic leukemia and a 60-year-old white male with acute myelogenous leukemia in the Hamann-Todd collection. Contrasting with the lack of specificity of radiologic findings, macroscopic skeletal changes appear sufficiently specific to allow distinguishing leukemia from other forms of cancer. While leukemia appears confidently diagnosable, distinguishing among the varieties (e.g., myelogenous and lymphocytic) does not appear possible at this time. Skeletal findings in leukemia are presented in tabular form to facilitate their application to future diagnosis of the disease in the archaeological record.

Archaeology↗
PubMed1997

The elusive petroexoccipital articulation.

In the present study, 1,869 skulls from the Hamann-Todd Collection were examined (macroscopically and by radiographs) for closure of the petroexoccipital articulation (jugular synchrondrosis). The results demonstrated the the petroexoccipital articulation underwent closure between 20 and 50 years of age in most human skulls evaluated. Approximately 7-10% of the human skulls underwent complete union of the petroexoccipital articulation before 20 years of age. In 5-9% of the population, the joint remained completely open. After 50 years of age, there was no increase in the frequency of individuals with incomplete closure. The frequency of "partial closure" was similar (4-8%) for all age groups (20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55, 60-65, and 70+), excluding the 30-35 year old group (17.5%). The time interval necessary for closure to occur appeared to be very short. No significant differences in closure rates due to ethnic origin, gender, or laterality were noted. The utility of the pteroexoccipital articulation as an age estimator is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Why do we fail in aging the skull from the sagittal suture?

The controversy over the reliability of ectocranial suture status (open vs. closed) as an age estimation stimulated the pursuit of Meindl and Lovejoy's suggestion (Meindl and Lovejoy [1985] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 68:57-66) for large scale analysis. The extent of the sagittal suture closure was assessed in 3,636 skulls from the Hamann-Todd and Terry collections. The debate over whether cranial suture ossification represents a pathologic or an age-predictable pathologic process also stimulated a comparison with age and two stress markers, hyperostosis frontalis interna and tuberculosis. Sagittal suture closure was found to be age-independent and sexually biased. The wide confidence intervals (for age) appear to preclude meaningful application of suture status for age determination. No correlation was found with the tested biological stressors.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Recognition of sickle cell anemia in skeletal remains of children.

The present study discusses in detail the osteological changes associated with sickle cell anemia in children and their importance in differential diagnosis. Posterior calcaneal and specific articular surface disruptive metacarpal lesions are diagnostic for sickle cell anemia. Calvarial thickening, tibial and femoral cortical bone thickening, and bowing are of more limited utility in differential diagnosis. Granular osteoporosis, pelvic demineralization and rib broadening are nonspecific. Localized calvarial "ballooning," previously not described, may have diagnostic significance. Bone marrow hyperplastic response (porotic hyperostosis) in sickle cell anemia produces minimal radiologic changes contrasted with that observed in thalassemia and blood loss/hemolytic phenomenon. Two other issues, the osteological criteria for discriminating among the anemias and the purported relationship between porotic hyperostosis and iron deficiency anemia, are also discussed. There is sufficient information to properly diagnose the four major groups of anemias, and further, to establish that iron deficiency is only indirectly associated with porotic hyperostosis. The hyperproliferative bone marrow response (manifest as porotic hyperostosis) to blood loss or hemolysis exhausts iron stores, resulting in secondary iron deficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Bilateral SLAC (scapholunate advanced collapse) wrist: an unusual entity. Apropos of a 7000-year-old prehistoric case].

SLAC (Scapho-Lunate Advanced Collapse) wrist is the most common form of osteoarthritis of the wrist. The main aetiology is ligamentous rotary subluxation of the scaphoid. The authors report on a case of bilateral SLAC wrist, identified on a prehistoric skeleton derived from the Hassi-el-Abiod site in the malian Sahara (Dutour, 1989). The paleopathological study consisted of macroscopic examination and radiological examination. Radiocarbon dating situated this human occupation to 7 thousand years ago. The diseases observed included bilateral radiocarpal lesions in an adult male individual. The degree of preservation of the carpal skeleton was 90%. Lesions were bilateral, but predominantly affected the right side. The radial styloid processes presented a lateral osteophytic cuff, giving a tapered "pen-nib" appearance. The scaphoid has a normal shape, but presented posterior and lateral osteophytes. The scaphoid surfaces of the two distal extremities of the radius and the corresponding parts of the scaphoid showed characteristic polishing. X-rays showed a band of condensation corresponding to the ivory region on the articular surfaces. In this case, the bilateral nature and the absence of any obvious macrotraumatic aetiology suggest that the only aetiology was progressive and bilateral ligamentous distension, due to repeated microtrauma analogous to that observed in sports disease (volley-ball) or in occupational diseases (jackhammer). The manufacture of stone tools (carved or polished) can be incriminated in the pathogenesis of these lesions. These lesions are therefore useful markers of repeated microtraumatic activities or "activity markers". The is the first paleopathological description and the oldest known case of bilateral SLAC wrist.

Carpal Bones↗
PubMed1997

[Variation of sphenoidal angle of human skull in the course of aging].

The degree of the cranial base flexion is a major parameter in the study of the evolution of verbal communication in mankind. The variability of this area among modern humans has received little attention. In the present study, a sample of 330 modern human skulls have been used to characterize the changes in the angle of the cranial base flexion with age, and its possible relationships with gender and ethnic origin. Statistical analysis of the results show significant changes with age. Two conclusions emerged: i) the debate regarding Neanderthal speech should also consider the effect of age on the cranial base; and ii) the sphenoidal angle can be used as an ageing criterion in forensic and anthropological studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Demonstration of a cranial autopsy performed during the Great Plague of Marseille (1720-1722)].

The excavation of the mass grave from the Monastery of the Observance dating from the Great Plague of Marseilles revealed the first evidence of an autopsy on the skull of a 15-year-old boy, performed during the spring of 1722. The reconstruction of the skull allows us to reconstitute the anatomic technique used, which is identical to those described in a surgical book dating from 1708. This research highlights the interest in correlating the biological and historical archives, and brings new anthropological data to the debate on the contagious nature of the plague.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Evidence of pin implantation as a means of verifying death during the Great Plague of Marseilles (1722).

The evidence obtained for the methods used in verification of death during the Great Plague of Marseilles in 1722 is presented here. This evidence was gathered during the excavation of a mass grave dating from this epidemic, and is based on two adjacent interments. The technique used at that time was the implantation of bronze pins into the toes. This method is precisely described in the medical treatises dating from this period, which list different death verification methods. The fear of "false death" and the burial of still living people characterized the end of the 17th and the 18th centuries. It should be noted that the main cause of apparent death is presented in the same medical treatises as the plague. This observation is the first anthropological evidence of the use of this forensic method to verify the fact of death.

Adult↗
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↗