Childhood bone tuberculosis from Roman Pécs, Hungary

Homo. 2015 Feb;66(1):27-37. doi: 10.1016/j.jchb.2014.10.001. Epub 2014 Nov 22.

Abstract

A child from a Roman necropolis in Pécs, Hungary (4th century CE) was initially diagnosed with severe spinal osteomyelitis. The post-cranial skeleton displayed bone alterations in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments, including vertebral body destruction, collapse and sharp kyphosis, and additional multiple rib lesions, suggesting a most likely diagnosis of pulmonary and spinal tuberculosis. This study discusses a number of selected diagnoses in the context of our pathological findings, complementing the macroscopic examination with radiological and biomolecular analyses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Hungary
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnosis
  • Osteomyelitis / history
  • Osteomyelitis / pathology
  • Paleopathology*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / history*
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / pathology