A case of lytic metastases of a carcinoma from the ossuary at Hallstatt (Upper Austria

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

A cranium of a mature male (45-55 years) from a charnel house in Hallstatt, Upper Austria (set up in the 12th century and in use until modern times) exhibits multiple perforations that were most probably caused by a malignant tumour. The lesions vary between 44 and 4 millimetres in diameter and concern nearly all parts of the cranium (frontal, parietal, and occipital bone, maxilla), hereby pertaining to all cranial layers to a different degree. Osteolytic changes accompanied by some sclerotic bone formations are indicative of an active as well as chronic process at the time of death of the individual. Differential diagnosis was carried out by macroscopic inspection, the use of conventional radiography, computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy in the secondary electron- and backscattered electron-mode. Pathology-mimicking effects, diagenetic, and taphonomic damage as causative processes can be excluded. The same applies for various infectious diseases (mycotic, bacterial, tuberculous conditions) as well as several tumorous forms (Langerhans-cell histiocytosis, bone angioma, medullary plasmocytoma). The palaeopathological and clinical diagnostical criteria used suggest a secondary carcinoma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)143-162
Number of pages20
JournalAnthropologie: International Journal of Human Diversity and Evolution
Volume56
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106018 Human biology

Keywords

  • Austria
  • BENIGN
  • Cranium
  • Differential diagnosis by CT and SEM
  • Hallstatt charnel house
  • KANAM
  • Metastatic carcinoma
  • Modern times
  • REMAINS
  • TUMORS

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A case of lytic metastases of a carcinoma from the ossuary at Hallstatt (Upper Austria'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this