Otitis media and mastoiditis in temporal bones of prehistoric Chilean populations. A paleopathological and paleoepidemiological study

Abstract

Background: This study evaluates otitis media in prehistoric populations in northern Chile.

Aims/objectives: Determining prevalence of otitis media and diagnostic usefulness of temporal-bone X-rays in skulls.

Materials and methods: 444 skulls belonging to three groups: prehistoric-coastal (400–1000 AD), prehistoric-highland (400–1000 AD) and Pisagua-Regional Developments (1000–1450 AD). Skulls were evaluated visually and with Schuller’s view X-rays. Five skulls diagnosed as having had otitis media, five diagnosed as normal, and one with temporal bone fistula also had a computed tomography (CT).

Results: Changes suggestive of otitis media were present in Prehistoric-coastal 53.57%; Pisagua-Regional Developments 70.73%; prehistoric-highlands 47.90%. Diagnostic effectiveness of Schuller’s view X-rays for assesing middle ear disease was confirmed by CT studies. The case with temporal bone fistula had changes suggestive of mastoiditis and possible post auricular abscess.

Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of otitis media in prehistoric populations in Chile. The higher prevalence in one group was presumably due to racial factors. Temporal-bone X-rays are effective for massive evaluation of ear disease in skulls. A case of mastoiditis with temporal bone fistula and possible post-auricular abscess is documented.

Significance: Documenting racial factors in otitis media. Validating X-rays for massive evaluation of otitis media in skulls.

Chinese abstract

背景：本研究评估智利北部史前人群的中耳炎。

目的：确定中耳炎的患病率和颅骨X射线的诊断用途。

材料和方法：444个头骨分属三组：史前 - 沿海（公元400-1000）, 史前 - 高地（公元400-1000）和皮萨瓜-区域（公元1000-1450）。用目视和SchullerX射线视图评估颅骨。五个头骨被诊断为患有中耳炎。五个被诊断为正常。一个患有颞骨瘘, 还进行了计算机断层扫描（CT）。

结果：代表中耳炎的变异出现于史前 - 沿海地区（ 53.57％）; 皮萨瓜-区域（70.73％）;史前-高地（47.90％）。通过CT研究证实了SchullerX射线对评估中耳疾病的诊断效果。颞骨瘘的病例具有代表乳突炎和可能的耳后脓肿的变异。

结论：智利史前人群的中耳炎发病率很高。第一组中较高的患病率可能是由于种族因素造成的。颞骨X射线对于头骨耳部疾病的大规模评估是有效的。记录了一例患有颞骨瘘和可能的耳后脓肿的乳突炎。

意义：记录中耳炎的种族因素。验证X射线用于大量评估头骨中的中耳炎。

Keywords:

• Paleopathology
• racial factors in otitis media
• mastoid abscess
• image segmentation
• 3D skull reconstruction
• 3D face reconstruction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.