Strong but not Unbeatable: Two Cases of Healed Severe Skull Trauma in Males Buried in Medieval Mass Graves (Kutná Hora-Sedlec, Czech Republic)

This paper presents two cases of healed skull trauma recovered from medieval mass burial sites in Kutná Hora-Sedlec (Kutná Hora District/CZ). These recently unearthed burial pits are historically and contextually associated with two key catastrophes: (1) a famine in the early 14th century; and (2) the Black Death in the mid-14th century. The first skull presents evidence of survival from severe cranial injury with highly probable surgical intervention. The second one presents evidence of successful skull surgery, confirming the practice of trepanation performed by a skilled specialist in a given region at a given time in history. Although both individuals had been robust enough to withstand the pain and strain of the treatment, indicating considerable resilience to survive the skull trauma, they succumbed to mass infection or famine that killed a large number of inhabitants of this prominent medieval mining region.

Feline skull injuries: Treatment goals and recommended approaches

Practical relevance: Skull trauma in cats, which includes fractures of the mandible and maxilla, as well as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) conditions, is frequently encountered in general practice. Clinical approach: Head trauma requires immediate attention and the initial approach should be focused on stabilisation of the patient and evaluation of the major body systems, including respiratory and cardiovascular assessment, and neurological and ophthalmic examination. The head, oral occlusion and the patient’s ability to open and close the mouth should be carefully evaluated. Once the cat is stable enough for anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging is essential to assess for skull injuries. Radiography may be helpful, although some conditions may be difficult to visualise due to soft tissue and bony structure superimposition. CT is a more sensitive technique for detecting skull injuries. Treatment goals and techniques: A variety of stabilisation techniques have been described in the feline patient, and repair goals focus on restoration of the animal’s oral function, while ensuring adequate dental occlusion, minimal invasiveness and morbidity, and pain relief. Surgical repair of mandibular and maxillary fractures may variously involve interdental wiring, interarcade wiring or suture, use of interfragmentary wires, plate and screw fixation, external skeletal fixation and use of dental acrylic. Decision-making with regard to treatment options depends on dental occlusion, type and location of the fracture, fracture stability and pain. Aim: This review, directed at general practitioners working with cats, describes the relevant anatomy of the feline skull, the most common mandibular, maxillary and TMJ conditions, and their recommended management.

Repair of Occipital Bone Defects in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 by Means of CAD/CAM Prefabricated Titanium Plates

Certain skeletal defects may develop in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a common tumor-suppressor syndrome, such as cranial lesions confined to the lambdoid suture region. Here, we report on the repair of osseous defects of occipital bone in a NF1 patient with history of skull trauma and tumorous hemorrhage. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-assisted devices were applied to safely close the bone defects. The variable phenotype of NF1 in the occipital skull region is discussed and a brief review is presented on NF1-related therapies for tumors and malformations of the occipitoparietal skull region.

A new abnormality record in bats: a teratological condition or skull trauma due to tooth avulsion in Noctilio leporinus?

Here we report on a skull of an adult male Noctilio leporinus caught in the Guiana Shield, South America. The animal was lacking the upper left molar-row and exhibited skeletal deformations in the rostral and palatal regions. This aberration could have been the result of a traumatic avulsion of the left C1. As a consequence of its position and depth of the root, the C1 avulsion could have broken much of the surrounding alveolar process during the initial injury, with subsequent loss of the remaining teeth via periodontal inflammation and tooth decay.

The Morphometric study of Internal acoustic meatus in dry skulls of South Indian adults

Background: The internal acoustic meatus (IAM) is a bony canal present between labyrinth and posterior cranial fossa. The normal morphometry of IAM is useful during evaluation of cases of skull trauma, congenital anomalies of IAM affecting the individual nerves, and in pre evaluation of surgeries of ear. The present study was done to determine the normal dimensions of IAM and to have a morphological database of the IAM for South Indian population. Materials & methods: The present study was conducted on 37 temporal bones of adult skulls. The impression of IAM was taken by injecting polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression material into the IAM and the dimensions were measured by using digital vernier callipers on right and left side separately. The height and width of IAM at porous, middle and fundus were measured and tabulated. Results: As there was no significant statistical difference between the parameters of right and left sides the data were pooled together. The mean height & width of IAM at porous end was 4.5mm & 6.42mm respectively. The mean height & width of IAC at its middle portion was 4.04mm & 4.91mm respectively. The mean height & width of IAM at the fundus was 3.8mm and 4.60mm respectively. The superior length & inferior length was 8.60 & 8.70mm respectively. Conclusion:This study provides a ready reference for dimensions of IAM of adult dry skull in South Indian population. The present study confirms that there is difference in the dimensions of IAM among different races and regions and thus emphasizes the need to have normal data for our population.