Monsalve T, Londoño OC, Pais-Brito JL, Buikstra J. Ecce Homo: Moving past labels to lives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2022;
39:85-92. [PMID:
36332400 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijpp.2022.10.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
We report a contemporary individual who died with advanced holoprosencephaly (HPE) to encourage recognition of rare diseases (RDs), especially congenital conditions in archaeological samples. We also explore the range of conditions associated with hydrocephalus in support of nuanced interpretations of this disease.
MATERIALS
The skeleton of a 17-year-old male who died with clinically diagnosed HPE, along with an age and sex matched comparative sample of 6 individuals who suffered accidental death and who were normal.
METHODS
We observed and measured all remains using standard osteological methods. The clinical records for Ecce Homo were scrutinized; his family was interviewed, and his skull was X-rayed.
RESULTS
The morphology and morphometry of Ecce Homo's skeleton display irregularities along the cranial midline and the postcranial skeleton consistent with anomalies derived from HPE as well as related congenital disorders and physical anomalies.
CONCLUSIONS
We have reported HPE here and developed a differential diagnosis with closely related conditions. Likewise we relate the information generated in the clinical history and interviews with the family of Ecce Homo to facilitate an understanding of the social context.
SIGNIFICANCE
This case is exceptional in providing information from the life context of a contemporary individual who suffered from a rare disease (HPE), with skeletal remains could be studied extensively. The differential diagnosis is useful in identifying HPE and other closely related conditions.
LIMITATIONS
This is a single example with clinical intervention.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
Future osteological research should occur on other cases of HPE; molecular studies may offer further clarity.
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