A probable case of subligamentous tuberculous spondylitis (STBS). The concealed body of the Late Modern Period (early 16th century ‐early 20th century), Franciscan crypt of St. Anthony and St. Eusebius church, Lombardy, Italy

AbstractThis paper presents a probable case of subligamentous tuberculous spondylitis (STBS), a rare form of extra ‐pulmonary tuberculosis, diagnosed in the skeleton of a middle‐aged male discovered in the ossuary of the Franciscan crypt of the St. Anthony and St. Eusebius church, which lies in north‐western Italy. The skeleton can be dated back between the 17th‐19th centuries. This rare type of tubercul osis was identified in the thoracic and lumbar spine, with no further evidences at the level of the cranial and other postcranial bones. The concomitance of osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities, scalloping, reactive bone formation area, anterior and lateral ligaments ossification was observed an d allowed us to perform a morphological STBS diagnosis. The subject presented here contributes to the literature related to the prevalence of tuberculosis in Italy during the last centuries. Moreover, we also focus our attention on some osteopathological criteria that can prove useful for the diagno sis of extra pulmonary tuberculosis.
Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - Category: Science Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research