Do computed tomography findings agree with traditional osteological examination? The case of porous cranial lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The current study evaluates the feasibility of using clinical cranial computed tomography (CT) scans for assessing the presence and morphology of porous cranial lesions (cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis). METHODS: Observers (n = 4) conducted three independent evaluations of porous cranial lesions based on photographs, 2-D CT, and 3-D CT scans of archaeological crania. Evaluations of the crania from each viewing scenario were compared to findings from direct macroscopic observation. MATERIALS: Twenty-two complete adult crania from the Peruvian sites of Pachacamac and Chicama. RESULTS: We found that lesion visibility differed by location: vault lesions with porosity larger than the resolution of the CT scan were identifiable across all viewing scenarios, but orbital lesions were identifiable only when extensive porosity was accompanied by widening of the inter-trabecular spaces. Lesions in stages of advanced remodeling were not visible on CT. CONCLUSIONS: Paleopathological criteria applied to head CTs from clinical cases of suspected cranial fracture can reliably identify moderate to severe porous cranial lesions in living individuals. SIGNIFICANCE: This validation study opens the door to broader study of porous cranial lesions in living individuals that can address open questions about the causes and consequences of these commonly reported skeletal indicators of stress. LIMITATIONS: Performance of all viewing scenarios was evaluated relative to assessment data from direct observation of skeletal remains, but direct observation is itself subject to error. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: The increasing resolution of routine CTs makes it increasingly possible to explore skeletal lesions in clinical contexts.