Objective

To differentially diagnose a calcified formation recovered from a 13th century AD grave from the Tuscan monastery of Badia Pozzeveri, Lucca, Italy.

Materials

A calcified formation from the thoraco-abdominal region of a skeleton buried in the monastery cemetery.

Methods

Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy.

Results

A hollow, calcified ovoid formation was identified as typical of a hydatid cyst, permitting the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in a 35-45year-old female.

Conclusions

The study reveals the circulation of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus in the region of Lucca in late medieval Tuscany.

Significance

This finding is the fourth case of cystic echinococcosis from an archaeological context in Italy and provides insight into environmental conditions that appear to have affected members of a community, irrespective of social status.

Limitations

Caution and the application of multiple analyses must be exercised in the differential diagnosis to discriminate among calcified formations.

Suggestions for further research

Analysis of stable isotopes of the calcified formation, such as ¹⁵N and ¹³C, in order to compare them with isotopic values of the host individual and to further confirm the parasitic origin of the find.

中文翻译：

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来自 Badia Pozzeveri（意大利卢卡）修道院墓地的 13 世纪囊性棘球蚴病

客观的

鉴别诊断出自意大利卢卡 Badia Pozzeveri 托斯卡纳修道院的公元 13 世纪坟墓中的钙化地层。

材料

埋在修道院墓地中的骨骼胸腹部区域的钙化地层。

方法

锥形束计算机断层扫描、扫描电子显微镜和能量色散 X 射线光谱。

结果

一个中空的钙化卵圆形被确定为典型的包虫囊肿，允许在 35-45 岁女性中诊断为囊性棘球蚴病。

结论

该研究揭示了寄生虫细粒棘球绦虫在中世纪晚期托斯卡纳卢卡地区的循环。

意义

这一发现是来自意大利考古背景的第四例囊性棘球蚴病病例，它提供了对似乎影响社区成员的环境条件的洞察，无论其社会地位如何。

限制

在鉴别诊断中必须谨慎并应用多种分析，以区分钙化地层。

进一步研究的建议

分析钙化地层的稳定同位素，如¹⁵ N 和¹³ C，以便将它们与宿主个体的同位素值进行比较，并进一步确认发现的寄生来源。