A Severe Case of Biparietal Thinning in a Medieval Skull From a Northern Italy Necropolis

Abstract

This study aims at presenting a case of symmetrical and bilateral thinning observed in a skull belonging to the skeleton of a mature woman from the medieval cemetery of Caravate (north Italy). Macroscopical, radiological, and histological analyses were performed to investigate the condition. The analyses allowed us to detect a progressive loss of both the outer table and the diploe, and the sparing of the inner table. As a controversial condition in the clinical and paleopathological literature, this case poses some difficulties in discussing the differential diagnosis. However, the sex determination, estimation of the age-at-death and different characteristics observed at the level of the postcranial bones, in particular the fractures recorded on different vertebral bodies, allowed us to correlate the biparietal thinning found in this subject to ageing and osteoporosis.

Confronting historical legacies of biological anthropology in South Africa—Restitution, redress and community-centered science: The Sutherland Nine

“…He also had a congenital condition resulting in premature fusion of his cranial plates (craniosynostosis and benign metopic ridge) [ 40 , 41 ]. Jannetje’s cranium showed evidence of pathology ( S6 Fig ): she had biparietal thinning, associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis [ 42 ]. Additionally, platybasia and basilar invagination were found, the latter of which is known to be debilitating with neurological and/or musculoskeletal complications, suggesting that she may have required assistance [ 43 , 44 ].…”

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“…Biparietal thinning is an uncommon condition, with an estimated incidence between 0.4% and 2.37% in contemporary populations 13 . Biparietal thinning is typically asymptomatic and incidentally detected during routine diagnostic procedures, mainly affecting older adults (typically above 60) and having a female predisposition (sex ratio of 1:1.9) 13,14 . Notably it is frequently associated with osteoporosis, particularly postmenopausal and senile types 13 .…”

“…13 Biparietal thinning is typically asymptomatic and incidentally detected during routine diagnostic procedures, mainly affecting older adults (typically above 60) and having a female predisposition (sex ratio of 1:1.9). 13,14 Notably it is frequently associated with osteoporosis, particularly postmenopausal and senile types. 13 Its ability to mimic other pathological conditions (eg, healed trepanations, enlarged parietal foramina, and osteolytic diseases) and confound skeletal and radiographic assessments 14 warrants its inclusion in literature used for guiding differential diagnoses.…”

“…13,14 Notably it is frequently associated with osteoporosis, particularly postmenopausal and senile types. 13 Its ability to mimic other pathological conditions (eg, healed trepanations, enlarged parietal foramina, and osteolytic diseases) and confound skeletal and radiographic assessments 14 warrants its inclusion in literature used for guiding differential diagnoses.…”