Hounsfield attenuation coefficient and taphonomic changes in the radiological evaluation of ancient bones

IF 1.5 2区历史学 0 ARCHAEOLOGY

Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports Pub Date : 2025-10-03 DOI:10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105439

E. González-Reimers , S.J. Cockerill , E. Marrero-Salas , H. Ruiz-González , I. Ribot-Hernández , E. Suárez-Toste , L.F. Otón-Sánchez , M. Arnay-de-la-Rosa

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

This study was performed to explore the usefulness of Hounsfield coefficient attenuation (HU) in evaluating sclerotic bone lesions, especially in the differential diagnosis of taphonomic alterations vs. true bone lesions.

Materials

We analyzed skeletal remains of a middle-aged pre-Hispanic man (antiquity≈ 700 BP) from Tenerife (Canary Islands) with several radiodense bone structures. Soil samples of different compositions, from several locations on the island, including the cave where the individual was buried, were also analyzed.

Methods

The skeletal remains were subjected to plain X-ray film (50 kV; 20 mAs; focus-film distance of 100 cm); computerized tomography (CT) and calculation of HU of the whole bones, the bone lesions, and the soil samples. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) (Oxford X-Max^N 50 mm² (Oxford instruments, High Wycombe, UK) were also used to assess geochemical composition of the soil samples.

Results

Marked differences in HU between soil samples and bone lesions (p < 0.001) were observed.

Conclusions

HU is useful to discern between a true bone lesion and taphonomic soil infiltration of the bone marrow. However burial environment and soil structure should be taken into account, since they may alter HU estimation.

Significance

This study supports the use of CT and HU assessment to discard taphonomic origin of radiodense structures within bone marrow.

Limitations

This study is restricted to a single case which probably presented osteopoikilosis.

Suggestions for Further Research

HU assessment should be performed on other radiodense bone structures such as sequestrae or conditions associated with patchy osteosclerosis.

查看原文本刊更多论文

古骨放射学评价中的Hounsfield衰减系数与地形学变化

目的：本研究旨在探讨Hounsfield系数衰减（HU）在评估硬化性骨病变中的作用，特别是在骨表型改变与真骨病变的鉴别诊断中。我们分析了一名来自加那利群岛特内里费岛（Tenerife）的中年前西班牙人（距今约700年前）的骨骼遗骸，其中有几个放射性密集的骨骼结构。研究人员还分析了来自岛上几个地点的不同成分的土壤样本，包括埋葬这个人的洞穴。方法对骨骸进行x线平片（50 kV, 20 ma，焦膜距离100 cm）；计算机断层扫描（CT）和计算全骨、骨病变和土壤样品的HU。扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和能量色散x射线能谱仪（EDX）（Oxford X-MaxN 50 mm2 (Oxford instruments, High Wycombe， UK)）也被用于评估土壤样品的地球化学成分。结果土样与骨病变间HU有显著差异（p < 0.001）。结论超声对鉴别真性骨病变和骨髓埋藏性土壤浸润具有重要意义。然而，由于埋藏环境和土壤结构可能会改变HU的估计，因此应考虑到这一点。意义：本研究支持使用CT和HU评估来抛弃骨髓内放射性致密结构的地理来源。局限性：本研究仅局限于一例可能表现为骨质疏松症的病例。进一步研究建议hu评估应在其他放射性密集骨结构，如隔离或与斑片状骨硬化相关的情况下进行。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports ARCHAEOLOGY-

CiteScore

3.10

自引率

12.50%

发文量

405

期刊介绍： Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports is aimed at archaeologists and scientists engaged with the application of scientific techniques and methodologies to all areas of archaeology. The journal focuses on the results of the application of scientific methods to archaeological problems and debates. It will provide a forum for reviews and scientific debate of issues in scientific archaeology and their impact in the wider subject. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports will publish papers of excellent archaeological science, with regional or wider interest. This will include case studies, reviews and short papers where an established scientific technique sheds light on archaeological questions and debates.