{"title":"A rare femoral heterotopic bone formation in a 14th-19th century female skeleton from Constância (Portugal)","authors":"Sandra Assis , Joana Garcia","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2022.12.004","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>This paper aims to: (1) document a rare femoral heterotopic ossification (HO), and (2) discuss its aetiology and impact on the individual's locomotion and daily living activities.</p></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><p>Adult female skeleton (SG.14-SK.7) from the village of Constância (Portugal), and dated from the 14th-19th centuries CE.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The biological profile and the macroscopic analysis of the bone changes were assessed using standardized methods.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The macroscopic analysis revealed a large bony mass (8 cm length) located immediately inferior to the small trochanter of the right femur. The lesion exhibited a compact, tubular appearance located at the site of attachment of the pectineus muscle. No signs of bone fracture were observed.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The morphology of the SG.14-SK.7 femoral lesion is compatible with a probable case of myositis ossificans traumatica (MOT), secondary to acute trauma of the pectineus muscle. The underlying trauma episode, such as random accidental and/or occupation-related injury, is unknown. However, it is highly possible that this self-limiting condition significantly impaired the individual's daily life and mobility.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>Evidence of severe acute muscle trauma is a rare finding compared with HO secondary to bone trauma and other minor muscle injuries. Moreover, no cases of MOT affecting the pectineus muscle have been reported in the paleopathological literature to date.</p></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><p>Although unlikely, a case of neurogenic or burn-related HO cannot be completely disregarded. It was not possible to undertake radiography as part of this study.</p></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><p>The use of imaging techniques to complement the paleopathological description is advised.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Pages 93-98"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3000,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Paleopathology","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1879981722000699","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PALEONTOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective
This paper aims to: (1) document a rare femoral heterotopic ossification (HO), and (2) discuss its aetiology and impact on the individual's locomotion and daily living activities.
Materials
Adult female skeleton (SG.14-SK.7) from the village of Constância (Portugal), and dated from the 14th-19th centuries CE.
Methods
The biological profile and the macroscopic analysis of the bone changes were assessed using standardized methods.
Results
The macroscopic analysis revealed a large bony mass (8 cm length) located immediately inferior to the small trochanter of the right femur. The lesion exhibited a compact, tubular appearance located at the site of attachment of the pectineus muscle. No signs of bone fracture were observed.
Conclusions
The morphology of the SG.14-SK.7 femoral lesion is compatible with a probable case of myositis ossificans traumatica (MOT), secondary to acute trauma of the pectineus muscle. The underlying trauma episode, such as random accidental and/or occupation-related injury, is unknown. However, it is highly possible that this self-limiting condition significantly impaired the individual's daily life and mobility.
Significance
Evidence of severe acute muscle trauma is a rare finding compared with HO secondary to bone trauma and other minor muscle injuries. Moreover, no cases of MOT affecting the pectineus muscle have been reported in the paleopathological literature to date.
Limitations
Although unlikely, a case of neurogenic or burn-related HO cannot be completely disregarded. It was not possible to undertake radiography as part of this study.
Suggestions for further research
The use of imaging techniques to complement the paleopathological description is advised.
期刊介绍:
Paleopathology is the study and application of methods and techniques for investigating diseases and related conditions from skeletal and soft tissue remains. The International Journal of Paleopathology (IJPP) will publish original and significant articles on human and animal (including hominids) disease, based upon the study of physical remains, including osseous, dental, and preserved soft tissues at a range of methodological levels, from direct observation to molecular, chemical, histological and radiographic analysis. Discussion of ways in which these methods can be applied to the reconstruction of health, disease and life histories in the past is central to the discipline, so the journal would also encourage papers covering interpretive and theoretical issues, and those that place the study of disease at the centre of a bioarchaeological or biocultural approach. Papers dealing with historical evidence relating to disease in the past (rather than history of medicine) will also be published. The journal will also accept significant studies that applied previously developed techniques to new materials, setting the research in the context of current debates on past human and animal health.