Otitis media and mastoiditis in temporal bones of prehistoric Chilean populations. A paleopathological and paleoepidemiological study

Background: This study evaluates otitis media in prehistoric populations in northern Chile. Aims/objectives: Determining prevalence of otitis media and diagnostic usefulness of temporal-bone X-rays in skulls. Materials and methods: 444 skulls belonging to three groups: prehistoric-coastal (400-1000...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta oto-laryngologica 2019-04, Vol.139 (4), p.340-344
Main Authors: Goycoolea, Marcos V., Castro, Mario, Galvez, Marcelo, Montoya, Carlos, Fuentes, Jorge, Silva-Pinto, Veronica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
3D face reconstruction
3D skull reconstruction
Chile - epidemiology
Humans
image segmentation
mastoid abscess
Mastoiditis - diagnostic imaging
Mastoiditis - ethnology
Otitis Media - diagnostic imaging
Otitis Media - ethnology
Paleopathology
Prevalence
racial factors in otitis media
Temporal Bone - diagnostic imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background: This study evaluates otitis media in prehistoric populations in northern Chile. Aims/objectives: Determining prevalence of otitis media and diagnostic usefulness of temporal-bone X-rays in skulls. Materials and methods: 444 skulls belonging to three groups: prehistoric-coastal (400-1000 AD), prehistoric-highland (400-1000 AD) and Pisagua-Regional Developments (1000-1450 AD). Skulls were evaluated visually and with Schuller's view X-rays. Five skulls diagnosed as having had otitis media, five diagnosed as normal, and one with temporal bone fistula also had a computed tomography (CT). Results: Changes suggestive of otitis media were present in Prehistoric-coastal 53.57%; Pisagua-Regional Developments 70.73%; prehistoric-highlands 47.90%. Diagnostic effectiveness of Schuller's view X-rays for assesing middle ear disease was confirmed by CT studies. The case with temporal bone fistula had changes suggestive of mastoiditis and possible post auricular abscess. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of otitis media in prehistoric populations in Chile. The higher prevalence in one group was presumably due to racial factors. Temporal-bone X-rays are effective for massive evaluation of ear disease in skulls. A case of mastoiditis with temporal bone fistula and possible post-auricular abscess is documented. Significance: Documenting racial factors in otitis media. Validating X-rays for massive evaluation of otitis media in skulls.
ISSN:0001-6489
1651-2251
DOI:10.1080/00016489.2018.1530800