[A paleopathological case of Stafne's defect of the mandible (the Rutigliano necropolis, Bari, 6th-4th century B.C.)]. / Un caso paleopatologico di difetto di Stafne della mandibola (necropoli di Rutigliano, Bari, VI-IV secolo a.C.)

Authors describes a paleopathological case of regional osseous atrophy of a human jaw dated from the Roman time and coming from Rutigliano (Bari). The atrophy was probably related to the compressive action of the lateral part of the submandibular salivary gland, such as the Stafne's defect. Authors discussed the differential diagnosis of this case and remarked the extreme rarity of this jaw pathology, especially in ancient times.

[Infant and childhood mortality in some ancient populations from Abruzzo: paleodemographic and paleopathological implications]. / La mortalità nella prima e nella seconda infanzia in alcune popolazioni Abruzzesi antiche: implicazioni paleodemografiche e paleopathologiche.

The paleopathologic and paleodemographic study of skeletal samples of ancient populations from Abruzzo, Central Italy, yields data on the trends of infant mortality through the ages from the 7th century B.C. to the modern age. These data integrate the informations deriving from historic sources.

[A case of surgical ligature of the sacro-iliac joint from Renaissance Central Italy]. / Un caso di legatura chirurgica sacro-iliaca di epoca rinascimentale dall'Italia Centrale.

The paper reports a case of interbone ligature between the sacrum and right ileum using copper wire in an adult woman whose skeleton, dating from approximately 1600-1700 A.D., was exhumed from the Church of Sant'Egidio in Borrello (Chieti). Having described the ligature and the techniques used, the Authors discuss the reasons for the operation. In conclusion, it is suggested that the most plausible hypothesis is that it represent an interbone ligature during the course of autopsy to allow the recomposition of a corpse with a sacro-ileal dislocation. The absence of signs of sacro-ileal dislocation caused by mechanical levers during the course of autopsy leads the Authors to suppose the sacro-ileal rupture occurred while the subject was still alive. The Authors therefore hypothesise that the woman died while giving birth following the laceration of the pubic symphysis and rupture of the right sacro-ileal joint. The hypothesis of a corpse restoration is also suggested.

[The congenital absence of the permanent upper lateral incisors with the persistence of the deciduous canines in a subject of the Iron Age from the Sulmona (AQ) necropolis]. / Assenza congenita degli incisivi laterali superiori permanenti con persistenza dei canini decidui in un soggetto dell'età del Ferro della necropoli di Sulmona (AQ).

The paper reports a case of bilateral agenesia of the permanent upper lateral incisors associated with the persistence of the deciduous eye teeth placed between the first premolars and the permanent canine teeth which, in turn, had emerged in place of the agenetic lateral incisors (situs dentis inversus) in a adult male from the Iron Age whose skeletal remains were exhumed from tomb no. 58 of the Sulmona necropolis (AQ). The authors place the case in the context of agenesia as found both in today's population and in ancient times.