Middle ear pathology in ancient and modern populations: incudal osteoma

Conclusions. Osteomas of the incus were found in surprisingly high numbers in ancient and modern populations. The coexistence of osteoma formation and unique vascularization on the medial surface of the incus alludes to a relationship between the two findings. Objective. Osteomas involving the middl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta oto-laryngologica 2005-11, Vol.125 (11), p.1164-1167
Main Authors: Arensburg, Baruch, Belkin, Victor, Wolf, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Dry bone
Ear Neoplasms - blood supply
Ear Neoplasms - history
Ear Neoplasms - pathology
Ear, Middle - blood supply
Ear, Middle - pathology
History, 20th Century
History, Ancient
Humans
incus
Incus - blood supply
Incus - pathology
India
Israel
Medical sciences
middle ear
osteoma
Osteoma - blood supply
Osteoma - history
Osteoma - pathology
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Paleopathology
skull
Skull Neoplasms - blood supply
Skull Neoplasms - history
Skull Neoplasms - pathology
Temporal Bone - blood supply
Temporal Bone - pathology
vascular supply
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Summary:Conclusions. Osteomas of the incus were found in surprisingly high numbers in ancient and modern populations. The coexistence of osteoma formation and unique vascularization on the medial surface of the incus alludes to a relationship between the two findings. Objective. Osteomas involving the middle ear ossicles are rare. The aim of this study was to compare the incudal pathology of ancient and recent periods using the recent literature. Material and methods. Pathologies encountered in 1170 human incudes belonging to different populations from ancient and recent periods were studied. Most of the ossicles were found in the middle ear of dry skulls or during dissection. The observations were done with a binocular microscope and a Nikon Profile Projector. Results. A total of 47 incudes (4.01%) presented with a variety of pathologies, osteomas being found in 19 cases (1.62%). The osteomas were noted only on the medial surface of the incus. Other findings, including prominent erosions, multiple nutrient foramina and pitting, were also found on the medial side of the incus. The incidence of osteoma was found to be more common in ancient populations (1.88%) and most prevalent among Bedouins (4.55%).
ISSN:0001-6489
1651-2251
DOI:10.1080/00016480510043431