Facial reconstruction of a pathological case.

In this paper, we describe a forensic paleopathology case using findings obtained from images of a skull with leontiasis ossea. This unique specimen is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico. The skull shows tissue overgrowth, periosteal bone proliferation, which produced a cortical and diploid thickening involving the entire bone matrix. The study of images, X-rays, and helical computed tomography revealed generalized hyperostosis obliterating the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses, and two exuberant bony masses arising from the maxilla with encroachment of the anterior nasal opening. In order to reconstruct an image of the external appearance in life, a copy was obtained in the first place, using a stereolithography machine, after that, three-dimensional (3-D) facial reconstruction technique was applied, thus an approximation of the external appearance of this specimen was obtained. During the process, we encountered several difficulties, mainly when interpreting the cortical topography, the position of eyes and mouth. In this sense, facial reconstruction allows only for a moderate investigation due to the limited information that can be obtained from the skull and the significant alterations observed.

Leontiasis ossea: a paleopathologic case report.

We describe the archeological and imaging findings of a unique specimen (skull and mandible) with leontiasis ossea (LO) that is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. The specimen shows diffuse and irregular periosteal bone proliferation, which produces a grossly nodular appearance involving the neurocranium and the facial skeleton. Plain radiography and helical computed tomography revealed generalized hyperostosis obliterating the maxillary and sphenoidal sinuses and 2 exuberant bony masses arising from the maxilla with encroachment of the anterior nasal aperture.Currently, LO is a purely descriptive term applied to a variety of osseous conditions that have in common hyperostosis of craniofacial bones leading to a leonine appearance. Clinicians who see such lionlike facies should consider the main causes of LO, which include renal osteodystrophy, Paget disease and, as most likely in this specimen, fibrous dysplasia.

[Incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in a cohort of infants in the State of Morelos]. / Incidencia de infección por Helicobacter pylori en una cohorte de lactantes en el estado de Morelos.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in infants from the State of Morelos, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of 110 healthy infants was studied between 1997 and 1999. Serum samples were collected from mothers and their infants at 2, 6, 18, and 24 months of life. All serum samples were tested for antibodies against Helicobacter pylori with the ELISA test. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-economic and clinical data. Associations among selected variables and Helicobacter pylori infection were determined using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Two thirds of mothers and six (5.5%) infants tested positive. Two of the six positive infants were born to positive mothers; both of them became negative before age two. The other four infants remained positive. Although not statistically significant, a vaginal birth and more than five people living in the household are possible risk factors for infant H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the previously reported high prevalence of infection by H. pylori in Mexican children, in this population we found a low incidence of infection in infants up to two years of age. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.