Differential diagnosis of fibro-osseous lesions, tumors and odontogenic cysts of the imaging type: an archeological case in central Argentina.

Abstract

Paleopathology studies the disease in the past from multiple sources of information, attaining results that allow us to deduce the temporality of the disease's existence, that is, when it arises, and how closely it is linked to human history for example. The pathologies that are best represented in the study of this discipline are those that settle on the bones, for their conservation over time; Within them we find those that appear in the jaws.

The objective was to implement a differential diagnosis of bone lesions present in archeological human remains, particularly in jaws, and assess the contribution of diagnostic imaging for description.

The pathological conditions recorded in a jaw of a female adult individual from the mountainous region of the province of Córdoba, Argentina were analyzed.

Macroscopically, we could observed the presence of an irregular mineralized structure similar to the cement that affects the roots of the teeth 36 and 37. The Cone Bean Computed Tomography (CBCT) examination revealed the presence of two radiopaque lesions with radiological and sclerotic borders, circumscribed to the roots of teeth 47 and 48, similar to the macroscopic inspection on the left side compatible with a multifocal fibro-osseous lesion. In association with this lesion, we could observed radiographically, a radiolucent unilocular lesion with well-defined, non-expansile margins, thinning and erosion of the bony table without displacement of teeth, or reabsorption of dental roots. The use of CBCT allowed us to observe lesions that were not recorded by direct visual inspection.

This tool was useful and contributed to a better differential diagnosis in this case. New technologies can optimize the study of archaeological remains, making a significant contribution to Paleopathology.