A critical review of the anthropological and paleopathological literature on osteopetrosis as an ancient rare disease (ARD).

Objective: A reappraisal of the available evidence of osteopetrosis in the archaeological record as first step in promoting new approaches to rare diseases in paleopathology.

Materials And Methods: Three different approaches are combined: a survey of the last 50 years of bioarchaeological publications; an online search addressing six of the more widely used search engines; macroscopic and radiographic analyses of the human remains from the Neolithic site of Palata 2 (Italy).

Results: The combined results of the literature survey and the online search identified six cases of osteopetrosis.

Soft-tissue thickness values using cone beam computed tomography: A literature review.

When human remains are found, with no evidence of identity, facial approximation can be a useful technique to employ. The reconstruction of the ante-mortem appearance can reproduce the likely features of the face, starting from the skull, based on the overlying soft-tissue thickness. Over the years, many techniques have been developed to achieve soft-tissue thickness measurements, one of which is based on the use of cone beam computed tomography.

Morphological cardiac changes in electrocution deaths: A literature review.

Electrical injury may lead to damage to the conducting tissue, myocardial changes and even sudden cardiac death. Victims of low-voltage electrocution may have no electric marks, burns or other signs typical of electrical injuries. In these cases, the absence of other specific findings could make the identification of the cause of death very difficult.

DNA extraction from sternum bone for identification of a saponified body: use of a modified protocol.

This paper discusses our approach and results obtained when attempting to identify a saponified human body recovered from the sea, without arms and legs. Bones, especially the long ones, are the only sources of DNA available in several cases involving unidentified bodies in advanced state of putrefaction. In this case, since the body was found without limbs, attempts were made to extract DNA from the sternum bone.

Head CT scan in emergency room: Is it still abused? Quantification and causes analysis of overprescription in an Italian Emergency Department.

In recent years, the increasing prescription of diagnostic imaging has been noted, due to advances in imaging technology and the development of defensive medicine. Overuse of diagnostic imaging significantly impacts the quality and costs of health care. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify overprescription and investigate its causes through the evaluation of head computer tomography (CT) scan prescriptions.

High tension electrocution death: New histopathological cardiac tools by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope.

In deaths due to electrocution intraepidermal separation, vacuolation of epidermal cells, "swiss cheese" aspect of the superficial part of epidermis (swollen and with multiple vescicles), metallization, necrosis of collagenous fibers, cardiomyocytes alterations are microscopically described. No cardiac nerve damage due to electricity is actually reported in literature. In this work we tried to find new morphological signs in the hearts of deaths due to electrocution.

Optimal multidisciplinary treatment of oral cavity mucosal melanoma: outcome analysis in a case series.

Oral cavity mucosal melanomas (OCMM) represent only 3% of all malignant melanomas. Surgery is the mainstay of treatments and it is often followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. The role of adjuvant immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy is still debated and to date neither treatment is routinely used.

PHACES syndrome: Diode laser photocoagulation of intraoral hemangiomas in six young patients.

Introduction: The acronym PHACES describes the association of posterior fossa malformations, facial hemangiomas, arterial anomalies (cardiovascular or cerebrovascular), coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, eye abnormalities, and sternal or ventral defects. In this study we report on 6 patients affected by the PHACES syndrome and showing 34 intraoral hemangiomas (IH), treated by diode laser photocoagulation (DLP).

Case Presentation: IH appeared as red-bluish soft masses, smooth or lobulated, from a few millimetre to several centimetres in size, covered by intact mucosa and blanching on pressure.