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A possible case of melorheostosis from antiquity
Author(s) -
Kelley Marc A.,
Lytle Karen
Publication year - 1995
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.1330980309
Subject(s) - periostitis , hyperostosis , paleopathology , osteomyelitis , differential diagnosis , medicine , anatomy , surgery , pathology
An unusual case of discontinuous hard tissue hyperostosis is described in a 25‐30–year‐old female dating between 4000 and 5500 BP from northern Chile. This specimen was one of 104 individuals examined from the Morro‐1 site, which is known to represent the Chinchorro culture. The only other reported case from antiquity dates to 500 AD (Lester [1969] J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 49:142–143). A review and comparison of this case to the medical literature supports a diagnosis of melorheostosis. Differential diagnosis is presented with the ruling out of nonspecific manifestations of osteomyelitis/periostitis as the most likely alternative diagnosis. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.