ABSTRACT
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%).
Subject(s)
Ear Neoplasms/history , Ear, Middle , Incus , Osteoma/history , Skull Neoplasms/history , Temporal Bone , Ear Neoplasms/blood supply , Ear Neoplasms/pathology , Ear, Middle/blood supply , Ear, Middle/pathology , History, 20th Century , History, Ancient , Humans , Incus/blood supply , Incus/pathology , India , Israel , Osteoma/blood supply , Osteoma/pathology , Paleopathology , Skull Neoplasms/blood supply , Skull Neoplasms/pathology , Temporal Bone/blood supply , Temporal Bone/pathologyABSTRACT
The treatment of nasal polyps in the past is described. The role of such physicians as Aetius of Amida, Paul of Aegina, Guy de Chauliac, Gabrele Fallopio, Fabricius Hildanus are depicted, the significance of such XIX century physicians as Joseph Toynbee, Anton von Troeltsch, Joseph Gruber, Adam Politzer, Friedrich Voltolini and Bronislaw Taczanowski, Teodor Heiman at Polish territories are presented with full particulars. The problems of pathological anatomy, symptomatology and especially the treatment of aural polyps is strongly pointed out. The significance Bonnafont's instrument, Blake's and Wilde's nooses, galvanocaustic operations are described in more detail. The danger of those operations is pointed out.
Subject(s)
Ear Neoplasms/history , Otologic Surgical Procedures/history , Polyps/history , Ear Neoplasms/diagnosis , Ear Neoplasms/surgery , History, 16th Century , History, 19th Century , History, Ancient , History, Medieval , Humans , Otolaryngology/history , Otologic Surgical Procedures/methods , Polyps/diagnosis , Polyps/surgery , Surgical Instruments/historyABSTRACT
It is generally believed that auricular exostoses are due to prolonged exposure to cold water, so their existence in ancient remains may inform us about economic activities in the past. This study was performed to analyze the prevalence of auricular exostoses among 150 pre-Hispanic individuals of different islands of the Canary archipelago. Individuals from Gran Canaria (6/26), Fuerteventura (1/15), and Tenerife (2/64), but not from El Hierro (0/45), showed auricular exostoses, thus supporting the hypothesis of a greater reliance on fishing and shellfishing in the former 3 islands.
