Rheumatic diseases in the ancient Americas: the skeletal manifestations of treponematoses.

Introduction: The effect of rheumatic and infectious diseases on skeletal remains provides an important source of information for knowledge of contemporary medicine. Few pathologic conditions have attracted so much interest as treponematoses. One of these, syphilis, was the most feared venereal disease throughout the civilized world until the introduction of penicillin in the 20th century.

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.

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.

Characterization of dental fillings found in skulls from individuals buried in San Jeronimos Church, New Spain: historical and archaeological evidences.

Repair of teeth during the XIX century was often a very costly and painful procedure. During this period, restoration of teeth was a procedure limited only to those who could afford such care. In this study we analyzed teeth from a skull sample found in San Jeronimo's Church.