Auditory Exostoses Research Articles

Auditory hyperostosis and the environment: an update

Auditory exostoses have been included in craniological investigations since the last century and recently comprised among epigenetic traits. There is general agreement on the importance of environmental and behavioural factors on the expression of these bony formations, in particular habitual diving and swimming in cold water. The present study contributes new data to our knowledge of the world frequency of this character. Cranial series from New Guinea and Melanesia (139 skulls), Australia (36) and, for the first time, South Africa (123, from Bushmen, Hottentots and other ethnic groups) were analysed. While the character is absent in the African series — possibly due to environmental factors — the frequency of exostoses varies from 4.0 to 4.7% in the other skull collections, mainly belonging to coastal populations. When the frequency distribution of this pathology is considered in a world context and subdivided according to frequency classes, a direct relation between occurrence and environmental factors is confirmed. Nevertheless, the widespread distribution of low frequencies (0.1–3.0%) cannot be solely attributed to the action of cold water, but appears to be the result of different kinds of stresses or ear pathologies.

A Late Archaic Period Burial from the South-Central Andean Coast

Recent excavations at the Late Archaic Period (ca. 3000-1000 B.C.) site of Kilometer 4 on the far south coast of Peru exposed a burial containing the remains of a 45-year-old male. The individual was buried with an unusual assemblage of artifacts that includes bone and shell implements and elaborate and distinctive cotton textiles, as well as a complex of paraphernalia of which some items were apparently associated with the use of hallucinogenic or other substances. Auditory exostoses indicate that the individual had engaged in maritime activities, including diving. Semi-flexed, single interment burials such as this are well known from the coast of northern Chile, but the use of cotton during the Archaic Period on the coast of the south-central Andes has not been well documented in the past.

Clinical otosclerosis and auditory exostoses in ancient Europeans (investigation of Lithuanian paleoosteological samples).

The purpose of this investigation was to establish the incidence of clinical otosclerosis and auditory exostoses in Lithuanian paleopopulations. The total sample consists of 4080 skulls, dating from the Neolithic to the C17th-C18th A.D., investigated visually, under magnification and radiologically. Eight cases of clinical otosclerosis and 22 of auditory exostoses were identified. The general epidemiology of otosclerosis (0.19 +/- 0.08 per cent) was established to be similar to contemporary populations. This suggests that there are no new aetiological factors attributable to our modern society. Clear diminution of the incidence of auditory exostoses from the 1st to the 2nd millenium A.D. (3.46 +/- 0.76 per cent, against 0.06 +/- 0.04 per cent, p < 0.001) and definite sexual differences (males: 1.21 +/- 0.28 per cent; females: 0.17 +/- 0.10 per cent, p < 0.001) were also noted. In general, auditory exostoses were found much more frequently than in recent populations.

Behavior‐induced auditory exostoses in imperial Roman society: Evidence from coeval urban and rural communities near Rome

Presence and features of auditory exostoses were investigated in two cranial samples of Roman imperial age (1st-3rd century A.D.). The skeletal material comes from the necropolises of Portus (Isola Sacra) and Lucus Feroniae (Via Capenate), two towns along the Tevere River, in close relation with the social and economic life of Rome. Deep-rooted differences between the human communities represented by the skeletal samples (83 and 71 individuals, respectively, in this study) are documented both historically and archaeologically. The results show lack of exostoses in the female sex, a negligible incidence among the males of Lucus Feroniae, but a high frequency in the male sample from Isola Sacra (31.3%). Auditory exostoses are commonly recognised as localized hyperplastic growths of predominantly acquired origin. Features of the exostoses found in the male crania from Isola Sacra (particularly in relation to the age at death of the affected individuals) support this view. Furthermore, several clinical and anthropological studies have pointed out close links between the occurrence of auditory exostoses and prolonged cold water exposure, generally due to the practice of aquatic sports, or to working activities involving water contact or diving. In this perspective, the differences observed between the two Roman populations and between the sexes (in Isola Sacra) appear to result from different social habits: the middle class population of Portus habitually used thermal baths, whereas it is probable that thermae were seldom frequented (if at all) by the Lucus Feroniae population represented in the necropolis (mostly composed by slaves or freedmen farm laborers).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An otological investigation of Lithuanian skulls

AbstractTwo thousand seven hundred and sixty temporal bones from 1603 skulls ranging from the Neolithic to the eighteenth century AD were investigated visually and under magnification, scoring auditory exostoses, stapes footplate fixation and removing preserved auditory ossicles. Sixteen cases of auditory exostoses were noted. Changes in their occurrence were evident in adult skulls from the first to second millennia AD, (3.31 ± 0.87 per cent and 0.25 ± 0.18 per cent, p &lt; 0.001). Clear sexual differences were also elucidated (males: 1.96 ± 0.56 per cent, females: 0.49 ± 0.28 per cent). Taking into account the geographical latitude of Lithuania, this prevalence should not be considered high. Twelve cases of stapes footplate fixation in the oval window, which could be considered as otosclerosis, were identified; no sexual or temporal differences were noted. The general frequency in adult skulls (0.99 ± 0.28 per cent) is similar to that in contemporary Caucasoid people. Three hundred and four intact auditory ossicles obtained during examination were measured. As these measurements did not differ significantly from data in the literature, morphological stability of the auditory ossicles was confirmed. Certain sexual differences were established for several measurements.

Auditory Exostoses and Evidence for Fishing at Vlasac

Auditory Exostoses and Evidence for Fishing at Vlasac

Pathology and the posture of the La Chapelle-aux-Saints Neandertal.

The depiction of the Neandertals as incompletely erect was based primarily on Boule's (1911, 1912a, 1913) analysis of the La Chapelle-aux-Saints 1 partial skeleton. The inaccurate aspects of Boule's postural reconstruction were corrected during the 1950s. However, it has come to be believed, following Straus and Cave (1957), that Boule's errors of reconstruction were due to the diseased condition of the La Chapelle-aux-Saints 1 remains, rather than to Boule's misinterpretation of morphology. The abnormalities on the La Chapelle-aux-Saints 1 postcranium include: lower cervical, upper thoracic, and lower thoracic intervertebral degenerative joint disease (DJD), a distal fracture of a mid-thoracic rib, extensive DJD of the left hip, DJD of the right fifth proximal interphalangeal articulation, bilateral humeral head eburnation, and minor exostosis formation on the right humerus, ulna, and radius. These were associated with extensive alveolar inflammation including apical abscesses and antemortem tooth loss, some temporomandibular DJD, bilateral auditory exostoses, and minimal occipital condyle DJD. None of these abnormalities significantly affected Boule's Neandertal postural reconstruction, and a review of his analysis indicates that early twentieth century interpretations of skeletal morphology (primarily of the cranium, cervical vertebrae, lumbar and sacral vertebrae, proximal femora and tibiae, posterior tarsals, and hallucial tarsometatarsal joint), combined with Boule's evolutionary preconceptions, were responsible for his mistaken view of Neandertal posture.

Forensic aspects of aboriginal skeletal remains in Australia.

The assessment of Aboriginal skeletal remains and their distinction from whites is an area of major importance to the Australian forensic pathologist. The Aborigines, the indigenous people of Australia, are a distinct racial group with many characteristic anthropological features. The assessment of race is best made from an examination of cranial traits, 20 which are of value. A characteristic pattern of attrition of the teeth provides a method for establishing a skeleton as pre-European contact Aboriginal or postcontact tribal Aboriginal. The limb proportions of Aborigines differ significantly from other races and provide a useful adjunct to other racial discriminants. Quantifiable sex discriminants in the Aboriginal pelvis and femur differ in their ranges of values from other races. The humerus and shoulder girdle are of no value in making a racial distinction and are of limited value in sexing Aboriginal skeletons. Some pathological changes seen in Aboriginal skeletons are of value in corroborating race. These pathological changes include evulsion of incisor teeth, healed "parry fractures" of the ulnae, tibial squatting facets, treponemal changes, and auditory exostoses. The place and manner of burial together with related artefacts, features, and ecofacts may also provide corroboration.

Otolaryngic Osteopathology in 14th Century Mid-America

Over 486 people were massacred and buried communally at the Crow Creek Village Site, South Dakota, about 1350 AD. Osseous pathology in the craniofacial area of the victims' skeletons is reviewed and compared to data from other indigenous skeletal populations past and present. The Crow Creek mastoid x-rays are analyzed and compared to four other studies which span over 1000 years of Dakota Territory history. Findings regarding external auditory canal exostoses in the different groups are compared. Unusual findings in the craniofacial area are assessed. Insight into longitudinal epidemiology in one portion of the U.S. is possible through this study.