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Natural variation and differential diagnosis of skeletal changes in tuberculosis
Author(s) -
Kelley Marc A.,
ElNajjar Mahmoud Y.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330520202
Subject(s) - medicine , differential diagnosis , tuberculosis , skeleton (computer programming) , sternum , osteomyelitis , lesion , rib cage , incidence (geometry) , pathology , osteology , anatomy , surgery , physics , optics
Twenty‐six documented cases (17 blacks, 9 whites) of skeletal tuberculosis from the Hamann‐Todd Osteological Collection, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, were analyzed for lesion variability and patterns of multiple site involvement. In addition, several documented cases of pathologic conditions (osteomyelitis, vertebral fractures, and malignant bone tumors) that resemble skeletal tuberculosis were photographed and described for use in differential diagnosis. The range of variation of tuberculous lesions was found to be considerable. Thirty‐eight percent (10/26) of the cases display skeletal lesions in two or more regions concomitantly. The average number of vertebrae affected, as well as the incidence of multiple bone involvement, were found to be higher in blacks. Certain combinations of skeletal lesions (e. g., spine‐rib, spine‐rib‐sternum, and spine‐hip) may be useful in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in dry bone material.