Paleopathological study of a podal osteochondroma from the prehistoric Hypogeum of Calaforno (Sicily)

Abstract

In this article, we report a case of isolated podal osteochondroma from the prehistoric Hypogeum of Calaforno (Giarratana, Ragusa, Sicily). Although the phalanx exhibiting the benign tumoral mass comes from a context featuring several commingled remains, the very good state of preservation of this bone allowed us to perform a comprehensive study of the neoplasm by applying a multidisciplinary approach encompassing archeology, morphology, stereomicroscopy, and radiology. The results from this very ancient specimen have been assessed in the light of the available paleopathological literature and clinical implications currently encountered in modern patients.

First case of juvenile primary bone malignant neoplasm in ancient China: A skeleton from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 CE)

“…Osteochondroma (also known as osteocartilaginous exostosis) is the most common benign bone neoplasm (Kang et al, 2017; Marques, 2019; Sekharappa et al, 2014). It often results from abnormal proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes (Marques, 2019; Varotto et al, 2021). Osteochondroma tends to affect males rather than females (1.8:1 ratio), with an incidence peak at the age of 10–30 years (Marques, 2019; W. J. Wu & Liu, 2014).…”

The earliest known Italian case of bilateral non-osseous calcaneonavicular coalition from the mediaeval cemetery of Troina (Enna, Sicily)

“…The retrieved skeleton was subjected to a comprehensive anthropological and palaeopathological analysis, following the workflow adopted for the Sicily Paleopathology Project (FAPAB Research Center) (Varotto et al 2021).…”

The presence of Homo in Sicily: evidence, hypotheses and uncorroborated ideas. An archaeo-anthropological perspective

“…Their use changed from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, but often persisted over time (e.g., cave churches and cave dwellings from the Middle Ages) (Patti 2013). In later periods, and especially from the Copper Age onwards, caves played a complementary role to other settlements, being used as temporary shelters, perhaps during transhumance, as in the Palermo area (Battaglia 2014), or becoming "appendages" of villages (warehouses and/or workplaces) (Privitera 2007); some continued to be used as burial sites (from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, in conjunction with rock necropoles), others as places where funerary ritual practices took place (e.g., the Petralia cave, in the Catania area (Palio 2014), the Fontanazza cave on the slopes of Monte Grande in the province of Caltanissetta (Panvini 2014), the Chiusazza cave in the Siracusa area (Tanasi 2008) and the Calaforno hypogeum (Ragusa) (Varotto et al 2022).…”

“…Sicily has long been the subject of anthropological research due to its long history and frequent population movements occuring throughout its territory both in prehistoric and historic times (Baker 2000). Besides classical ethnological and anthropological studies, bioarchaeological research and palaeopathological studies have been growing in recent years (Varotto et al 2021;Fiorentino et al 2022;Melintenda et al 2023). The present study, focusing on the early arrival of humankind to the island, aims to highlight the phases and methods of the peopling of Sicily in prehistoric times by offering an examination of the most updated scientific literature and comparing it to the relevant theories proposed in the 20 th century.…”