Objective

To encourage the use of different methodological approaches for the identification of paleopathological lesions and to evaluate osteolytic lesions found on a temporal bone from La Llana cave (Spain).

Materials

Cranial remains recovered from from La Llana cave (Spain) dated to the Bronze Age, 3300 ± 25 BP (1631−1509 cal BC).

Methods

The cranium underwent macroscopic, microscopic and computed tomography scan examinations.

Results

The Tegmen tympani of the left temporal bone is present but is missing on the right. Both cochleae are intact. Both the right and left temporal bones display osteolytic lesions, with the left Tegmen tympani displaying deep and profuse pits on the endocranial surface, exposing the ear channel.

Conclusions

The lesions are compatible with otitis media (atticitis). By using different methods of analysis, the presence and effects of infection were identified.

Significance

This systematically described case contributes to our understanding of disease in the past and describes otitis-related lesions in archeological contexts for comparative purposes.

Limitations

The fragmentary and damaged cranial remains rendered evaluation difficult and diagnosis tentative.

Suggestions for Further Research

The use of different approaches to diagnose otitis media in archeological skeletal collections is recommended to improve the knowledge of health status and lifestyle of past populations.

中文翻译：

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来自 La Llana 洞穴（西班牙北部）的青铜时代个体的岩质骨上的溶骨性病变与可能的中耳炎病例相符。多方面的方法论方法

客观的

鼓励使用不同的方法学方法来识别古病理学病变并评估在 La Llana 洞穴（西班牙）的颞骨上发现的溶骨性病变。

材料

从 La Llana 洞穴（西班牙）中回收的颅骨遗骸可追溯到青铜时代，3300 ± 25 BP（公元前 1631-1509 年）。

方法

颅骨接受了宏观、微观和计算机断层扫描检查。

结果

左侧颞骨的鼓室鼓膜存在，但右侧缺失。两个耳蜗都完好无损。左右颞骨均有溶骨性病变，左侧Tegmen tympani在颅内表面显示深而大量的凹坑，暴露耳道。

结论

病变与中耳炎（中耳炎）相容。通过使用不同的分析方法，确定了感染的存在和影响。

意义

这个系统描述的案例有助于我们了解过去的疾病，并出于比较目的描述了考古背景中与中耳炎相关的病变。

限制

破碎和受损的颅骨残骸使评估变得困难，诊断也很困难。

进一步研究的建议

建议在考古骨骼收藏中使用不同的方法来诊断中耳炎，以提高对过去人群健康状况和生活方式的了解。