Objective

This study analyzes two probable cases of Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) from the region of modern Slovakia and provides an overview of possible cases reported in ‘grey’ literature.

Materials

Two adult skeletons with probable KFS from Vráble-Veľké Lehemby and Radoľa-Koscelisko.

Methods

Macroscopic analysis was performed using standard osteological methods.

Results

The two analyzed skeletons represent probable cases of KFS; one from the Neolithic, and one from the Middle Ages. Additional cases of potential KFS have been indicated within the ‘grey’ literature.

Conclusions

The study shows that KFS was present in prehistoric eastern Central Europe. The few cases of ancient rare diseases may be a result of past and present bioarcheological research, and many cases are hidden within ‘grey’ literature. A re-examination of older datasets is vital.

Significance

The described cases from modern Slovakia contributes to a limited list of archaeological cases, thus widening our knowledge about the occurrence of this rare condition throughout Europe in the past.

Limitations

The state of past and present osteo-archaeological research in eastern Central Europe, poor preservation of some remains, and lack of pathognomonic features associated with KFS.

Suggestions for further research

Systematic review of older skeletal assemblages and ‘grey’ literature.

中文翻译：

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来自斯洛伐克的 Klippel-Feil 综合征病例

客观的

本研究分析了现代斯洛伐克地区的两个可能的 Klippel-Feil 综合征 (KFS) 病例，并概述了“灰色”文献中报告的可能病例。

材料

两具可能来自 Vráble-Veľké Lehemby 和 Radoľa-Koscelisko 的成年骨骼。

方法

使用标准的骨学方法进行宏观分析。

结果

分析的两个骨架代表了可能的 KFS 病例；一个来自新石器时代，一个来自中世纪。在“灰色”文献中已经指出了其他潜在的 KFS 病例。

结论

研究表明，KFS 存在于史前中欧东部。古代罕见病的少数病例可能是过去和现在的生物考古研究的结果，许多病例隐藏在“灰色”文献中。重新检查旧数据集至关重要。

意义

来自现代斯洛伐克的所描述的案例为有限的考古案例清单做出了贡献，从而扩大了我们对过去整个欧洲发生这种罕见情况的认识。

限制

中欧东部过去和现在的骨考古研究状况，一些遗骸保存不佳，缺乏与 KFS 相关的特征。

进一步研究的建议

对较早的骨骼组合和“灰色”文献的系统评价。