ABSTRACT
The intentional deformation of human skulls in the living being was one of the most curious rituals performed in historical and ancient times. It is thought that these practices cause chronic elevated intracranial pressure and subsequent symptoms of cognitive impairment. In this report, we examine such an artificially deformed skull dating from the sixteenth century that in addition shows a fronto-ethmoidal encephalocele. However, although the mild encephalocele was already manifest at birth and deformation practices were performed over years, the encephalocele did not progress into a more severe status. We conclude that the intentional deformation of skulls does not lead to chronic elevated intracranial pressure and mental retardation.
Subject(s)
Encephalocele/embryology , Ethmoid Bone/abnormalities , Frontal Bone/abnormalities , Skull/abnormalities , Archaeology , Argentina , Body Modification, Non-Therapeutic/history , Chronic Disease , Cognition Disorders/etiology , Cognition Disorders/history , Cognition Disorders/physiopathology , Craniocerebral Trauma/etiology , Craniocerebral Trauma/history , Craniocerebral Trauma/pathology , Craniosynostoses/etiology , Craniosynostoses/history , Craniosynostoses/pathology , Encephalocele/complications , Encephalocele/history , Ethmoid Bone/injuries , Female , Frontal Bone/injuries , Frontal Bone/pathology , History, 16th Century , Humans , Indians, South American , Intracranial Hypertension/etiology , Intracranial Hypertension/history , Intracranial Hypertension/pathology , Middle Aged , Skull/injuries , Social BehaviorABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental mutilations (DM) were and are still common among people in Africa. The purpose of this study was to examine DM in 33 skulls from Cameroon, which have been collected around the turn of the 20th century (anthropological collection, Berlin Museum of Medical History). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the files of the museum, locations and/or tribal origin were recorded. DM classification described by De Almeida was used (1957). RESULTS: DM of the inverted V-shaped type was most common (30.3%). Pulp exposure was seen in 10 cases (30.3%). Periapical ostitis/radicular cysts were seen in nine cases (27.3%). General loss of alveolar bone was seen in all cases with a marked loss of the maxillary anterior labial alveolar bone plate in six cases (18.2%). CONCLUSIONS: DM may result in alveolar bone pathology characterised by inflammatory changes such as periapical ostitis or formation of radicular cysts.
Subject(s)
Self Mutilation/ethnology , Tooth Injuries/complications , Adult , Alveolar Bone Loss/etiology , Black People , Cameroon , Ceremonial Behavior , Child , Cosmetic Techniques/adverse effects , Culture , Dental Pulp Exposure/etiology , Humans , Male , Periapical Diseases/etiology , Self Mutilation/complicationsABSTRACT
This report describes the 'Skull from Bangkok', collected by Rudolf Virchow (Berlin, Germany) in the late 19th century. The skull is part of an extensive anthropological collection of skeletons and skulls from all over the world. The skull was probably brought to Berlin during the years 1882-1883. An inscription on the frontal bone gives the name of the skull: 'Skull from Bangkok'. The few remaining teeth of the maxilla show brown black stains because of betel quid chewing. In the collection, there is an extensive number of skulls from South- and Southeast Asia with similar betel stains. Virchow himself was aware of this habit and has described some of the skulls in detail often mentioning the black stains because of betel quid chewing. The Skull from Bangkok is a proof that betel quid chewing was prevalent in Siam of the late 19th century.
