Barbara Kwiatkowska

The Localization of the Supraorbital Notch or Foramen is Crucial for Headache and Supraorbital Neuralgia Avoiding and Treatment

The aim of this study was to provide the morphological and morphometric data of the supraorbital foramina or notches related to sex, side, and the climatic conditions where the population lived. It was hypothesized that the distribution of the occurrence and location of these openings depends on climatic conditions in which the population lived. Orbits from 866 dried skulls obtained from three climatic regions: warm, temperate, and cold were examined. The examination concentrated on the configuration (notch/foramen) and on the distances to the reference points: nasion, frontomalare orbitale, infraorbital foramen and the superior orbital rim. In 14.3% of cases a smooth supraorbital rim was observed while different variants of the structures were observed in 85.7% of the cases. In cold climatic conditions, supraorbital foramina were found in the highest frequency (35.4%). In warm and temperate climates, the observed frequencies of supraorbital foramen were the lowest (18.8% and 19.9%, respectively). Frequency of supraorbital notches was the lowest of those skulls from a cold climate (44.0%) and the highest in those from a warm climate (59.0%). These results support the hypothesis that the occurrence of the supraorbital notches is greater in populations from warm compared with cold regions. This would provide a greater exit route for the neurovascular bundle and this may be related to the thermoregulatory processes in the supraorbital region. Furthermore, knowledge of precise locations of supraorbital structures is important when a supraorbital nerve block is given, for example, in the treatment of migraine headaches. Anat Rec, 2012.

Is the area of the orbital opening in humans related to climate

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether climatic conditions impact the size of the anterior orbital opening in humans. The previous research has shown that morphology of the human orbit, a trait strongly related to the shape of the cranium, varies significantly among populations. However, the mechanisms of this variation are still debatable. Besides such evolutionary forces as genetic drift, climatic conditions may be involved. Thermoregulatory processes affect skull shape, and thus may also influence orbital morphology.

Respiratory diseases in the late middle ages

Respiratory diseases have beset humanity from the earliest times. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory diseases in the inhabitants of a large medieval city. We analyzed 110 skeletons, coming from 12 to 17th century of individuals of either gender. In order to assess pneumatisation of paranasal sinuses and nasal septum curvature, radiographs were performed in the PA projection. Nasal septum deviation was found in 50% of individuals, asymmetry of the frontal sinuses and their aplasia in 11% of individuals. There was no significant relationship between the curvature of the nasal septum and frontal sinus aplasia. One case of tuberculosis and one case of periradicular abscess causing perforation of the maxillary sinus were noted. Developmental variation of the sternum was present in two individuals. In another two individuals, rib fractures with bone union were observed. Analysis of the presence of respiratory disease in bone material is particularly difficult, but the use of modern methods: X-rays, CT scans and endoscopy significantly extends the capability to unravel the underlying causes of bygone diseases.

Topography of the mental foramen in human skulls originating from different time periods.

The location of the mental foramen is used in a number of maxillofacial surgical procedures and in anthropological examinations. The position of the mental foramen has been reported to vary in different ethnic groups and in different historical populations. The aim of this work was to analyse the topography of the mental foramen in mandibles from selected historical populations from the Pomeranian region in Poland. The material consisted of three groups: 92 skulls from the beginning of the 20th century from Szczecin (earlier name Stettin), and two Mediaeval groups -31 skulls from Rurka (historic Rörchen), 18th-19th centuries, and 50 skulls from Sypniewo (historic Zyppnow), 11th-13th centuries. Distances of the mental foramen in relation to the midline, and to the second corresponding point were measured. Additionally, non-metric traits of the mental foramen were recorded. No significant differences in average diameters of the mental foramina measured on the right and the left sides were observed between historical populations. On both sides, in all groups, the foramen was mainly located between positions of the lower first and lower second premolars. In all three groups the direction of the opening of the mental foramen was superoposterior. The similar level of epigenetic variation was observed in all groups. The position and the direction of the exit were similar to other previously studied European populations.

The relationship between the use of combined hormonal contraception with a predominance of gestagens and the selected types of female body in young women from the region of Lower Silesia

Abstract Oral contraceptive agents are currently the most popular and one of the most effective methods for preventing pregnancy. The data shows that over 300 million women in the world use contraceptive drugs containing synthetic hormones to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. Their effects may affect other systems, leading to the occurrence of various problems associated with the use of the drug. The aim of the study is to estimate the frequency of prevalence of subjective effects associated with the use of combined hormonal contraception with a predominance of gestagens by young women Surveys were conducted among female students of Wrocław universities from December 2010 to January 2011. They covered 257 women aged statistically 23.58 (SD=2.95). They were divided into three age classes: 19-22, 23-24, 25-28. The individual age of menarche and the hormonal type of body were determined. Only persons with a gestagenic or estrogenic type of body were qualified for the study. Results: 64.6% of all respondents declared the use of hormonal contraception. Combined agents with a predominance of gestagens constituted 87% in this group. Their use brings both positive (90%) and negative (65%) aspects. The most common positive effects include high contraceptive effectiveness, regulation of menstruation and minimisation of skin problems. The most frequent negative effects include: weight gain, spotting, breast swelling and decreased libido. Surprisingly, the study did not show any correlation between the hormonal type and the occurrence of side effects. There was no significant statistical relationship between the type of hormonal contraception used and the hormonal type.

Two cases of osteoid osteoma in skulls dating from the 13–14th centuries from St. Elisabeth’s Church in Wrocław, Poland

Abstract In the study two human skulls recovered from archaeological excavations at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Wrocław, dating from the 13-14th centuries were assessed. Direct measurements of each skull were recorded, and X-ray images in P-A, lateral and basal projections were taken. The skulls represented adult males. Large, bony, lobular tumours were found on the palatine bones of both skulls. X-ray examination identified these tumours as osteoid osteomas, which are benign bone tumours that may originate in the periosteum or may be located inside the bone, distorting the maxilla or mandible. However, osteoid osteoma of the palatine is very rare. This study extends our knowledge regarding the health and diseases of historical populations.

Concha Bullosa in Paleoanthropological Material

Concha bullosa is a variant of the sinonasal anatomy in which the middle nasal turbinate contains pneumatized cells, which leads to turbinate enlargement. The reason for concha bullosa formation is unclear, but the variant is seen in up to half the modern population and it may predispose to paranasal sinusitis. The variant has hitherto featured little in paleopathology. Therefore, in the present study we seek to determine the presence of concha bullosa, with the coexisting hypertrophy of the middle turbinate and signs of sinusitis or other pathology of the paranasal complex, in a population living in Tomersdorf-Toporow in the Upper Lausatia, a historical region in Germany and Poland, presently Zgorzelec County in the Lower Silesian voivodeship, at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth century. The material consisted of 32 skeletons (24 males, 8 females). The gender, age, and stress indicators and the presence of pathological signs were assessed, followed by CT of the skulls. We found 2 skulls (6.3 %) with concha bullosa. In one case septal nasal deviation was present. We conclude that the incidence of concha bullosa could be lower in the past times than at present. Wider research is necessary to settle whether concha bullosa is indeed a rare respiratory paleopathology or a missed, and thus underreported observation.

Variation in foramina transversaria of human cervical vertebrae in the medieval population from Sypniewo (Poland)

Abstract Since the foramina provide important reference points to radiologists and surgeons, and because their shape and size may affect the blood supply to the cerebellum and the brainstem, the knowledge of the variation of foramina transversaria is essential from the medical point of view. The variation in the number, size and shape of foramina transversaria was studied based on 129 skeletons (68 male, 61 female, total of 1065 foramina) from the environs of Sypniewo. In both sexes single foramina were the most frequent (ca. 70%); in females no double foramina were observed, while triple foramina appeared only twice. In males double foramina formed ca. 40% and triple foramina were very rare. The shape and size of foramina depended to the same extent on the position of the vertebra and on the body side.