An Approach to the Diagnosis of Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia from the 2500‐Year‐Old Remains of a Skull from Ancient China |
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| Authors: | K. L. Cheng H. Shao D. Zhao B. T. Sun J. Yu Z. C. Sun M. C. Li L. Guo H. Zhu Q. C. Zhang Y. H. Huang |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Radiology, China–Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Jilin, China;2. Department of Hematology and Oncology, China–Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Jilin, China;3. Science Research Centre, China–Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Jilin, China;4. Department of Nephrology, China–Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Jilin, China;5. Research Centre for Chinese Frontier Archaeology of Jilin University, Jilin, China;6. College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China |
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| Abstract: | A human skull, buried about 2500 years ago in a Bronze Age cemetery at Jinggouzi, a site of an important ethnic group in ancient China, appeared to have characteristics of fibrous dysplasia. The CT images indicated a reduction in bone density and relatively homogeneous lesions. More features were revealed using CT reconstruction techniques. Lesions seen in low‐magnification images using a 3D deep‐field microscope had an irregular honeycomb‐like structure. At higher magnification, the trabeculae morphology and the gaps between the trabeculae were irregular and varied in size and shape. Paraffin‐embedded specimens stained with HE showed trabeculae with tortuous irregular arrangements varying in shape and width. The irregular trabeculae of woven bone has been described as having fibrous dysplasia. Molecular analysis of the GNAS gene indicated no mutation. This provides a non‐invasive approach for us to make more comprehensive diagnoses and to assist research into ancient human diseases. |
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| Keywords: | computed tomography (CT) palaeopathology ancient DNA fibrous dysplasia |
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