The antiquity of the spondyloarthritides: Presentation of one of the oldest Neolithic cases in Western Europe.

In humans, little is yet known about the origins of the inflammatory rheumatisms of the spondyloarthritides group, especially regarding the period of their emergence. However, a better knowledge of their history would help to clarify their aetiology. We report a paleopathological case of European origin, dated from the late Neolithic (3621-3023 cal BC), consisting of an isolated vertebral block combining erosion, ossification and severe anterior and posterior ankylosis. The lesional presentation is very suggestive of a severe form of axial spondyloarthritis. This specimen and some other rare cases from the same period found in Western Europe suggest that these diseases appeared, in this geographical region, in evolving groups of humans as part of the demographic and epidemiological transition that constituted the Neolithic period. The emergence of infectious agents and the profound dietary changes that occurred during this period of human history may have favoured the appearance of the spondyloarthritides.

Virtual and macroscopical studies of mummies--differences or complementarity? Report of a natural frozen Siberian mummy.

Since 2004, a multidisciplinary Franco-Russian expedition discovered in the Sakha Republic (Yakutiya) more than 60 tombs preserved by the permafrost. In July 2006, an exceptionally well-preserved mummy was unearthed. The coffin, burial furniture and clothes suggested a shaman's tomb. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was performed before autopsy with forensic and anthropological aims. Forensic study aimed to detect any lesions and determine the manner of death. Anthropological study aimed to determine the mummy's gender, age at death, morphological affinity, stature and body mass. She was female and virginity status was assessed. The radiological and forensic conclusions were compared. Imaging confirmed most autopsy findings, suggesting that death followed disseminated infection. MSCT could not formally exclude a traumatic death because close examination of the skin was difficult, but was superior to conventional autopsy in diagnosis of infectious lesions of the left sacroiliac joint and one pelvic lesion. Autopsy detected a post-infectious spinal lesion, misinterpreted on MSCT as a Schmorl's node. However, most conclusions of virtual and conventional anthropological studies agreed. Age at death was estimated around 19 years old. The morphology of the mummy was mongoloid. MSCT identified the craniometric characteristics as similar to those of the Buryat population. The deceased's stature was 146 cm and estimated body mass was 49 kg. MSCT demonstrated its great potential and complementarity with conventional autopsy and anthropological techniques in the study of this natural female mummy buried in 1728.